MANILA MARATHON. Manila International Marathon founding president and organizer Dino Jose (right) discusses the upcoming race during the Tabloids Organization in Philippine Sports, Inc. (TOPS) “Usapang Sports” forum at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum VIP room on Jan. 25, 2024. With him is TOPS secretary general Edwin Rollon. (PNA photo by Jean Malanum)
MANILA – The prestigious Manila International Marathon will make a comeback at the Quirino Grandstand in Luneta Park on Feb. 24.
Former national athlete and founding president Dino Jose decided to revive the annual race, which was participated in by leading runners here and abroad.
“Gone were the days that a marathon event is popular in our country. When the inaugural edition was held in 1982, President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. was at the finish line and awarded the medal to the top finishers,” he said during the Tabloids Organization in Philippine Sports, Inc. (TOPS) Usapang Sports forum at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum VIP room on Thursday.
“I stopped competing after migrating to the US, but my passion in running, especially in marathon has remained. Now that I am retired, my focus is to bring back the prestige of marathon in the country," said Jose, a product of the Project Gintong Alay headed by Michael Keon in the 1980s. "It's said that for the longest time, our local runners have yet to break the two hours and 15 minutes mark."
The standing Philippine records in the 42km. marathon are 2:18.44 set by Eduardo Buenavista at the 2004 Beppu Oita Marathon in Japan, and 2:43.31 registered by Mary Joy Tabal at the 2016 Scotiabank Ottawa Marathon in Canada.
“Why is it hard to break the record? My answer is, there's no competitive event for our runners so their training and focus are limited. Now, we will start to make noise for marathon to regain its prominence," Jose said during the weekly session supported by the Philippine Sports Commission, Behrouz Persian Cuisine, and Pocari Sweat.
About 100 runners from Australia, Belgium, Japan, China, the USA, and France, led by Nasser Allali, third placer in the Spain Open in December, have signed up for the tournament certified by the Association of International Marathons (AIMS).
"The presence of foreigners will give our athletes a big challenge so they can test how good they are. The locals will be inspired to do their best," Jose said, adding that the event offers a total cash prize of PHP250,000 with the men's champion getting PHP100,000.
Regarding the entry fees, he said government employees and members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines would get a 20 percent discount while those from non-government organizations would have a 50 percent discount.
Aside from the marathon, there are also races in the 21km., 10km., and 5km. categories. Registration is ongoing at any Chris Sports branch or online (manilamarathon.com). (PNA)
