CONDURA SKYWAY MARATHON

From my Manila Standard Column Game Winners, Jan. 7, 2011
(Happy New Year)

Running enthusiasts should not let one of the biggest running events of 2011 pass. The Condura Skyway Marathon will be staged on February 6, Sunday and registration is currently ongoing and are being filled up fast! A true testament to how successful this event has been since its inception in 2008.

They’re introducing the 10 mile (or 16 km) category this year, and for the first time, runners for this and the 10k distances, will have the experience of running through the Skyway, as part of their Ayala Avenue to the Bonifacio Global City race route. Also starting off in Ayala is the 21k half marathon race.

The mother of all, 42k marathon will begin and end at the Bonifacio Global City, where the shorter distances of 3k and 5k will be centralized.

Another exciting innovation the organizers is the use of the D-Tag Timing System for all the runners which is used in the New York Marathon and other big international running events. This will ensure a faster and more accurate recording of finishing times.

And once you finish and have had your Team Manila-designed dri-fit type technical t-shirt soaked in sweat and glory of the race, whether you ran for fun or were a ultra serious marathoner, you will get a medal to remember your conquest by.

Every year, the Condura race raises funds for marine environmental causes. In 2008, they raised funds for the UNESCO World Heritage Site Tubbataha Reef and helped its rangers purchase equipment to help protect the land from poachers. Then the year after, they teamed with the ABS CBN Foundation to help fund the building of the Girawan Tourism center, which was a hub in Donsol, Sorsogon for whale shark watching.

The Condura Wharf in Baclayon, Bohol was built through the project of the Ayala Foundation from the funds raised from the 2010 edition of the race. It has helped the dolphin watching industry in the area, therefore educating more of the locals on the frailty of these sea creatures.

Helping the dolphins will still be the mission this 2011 but they’ll be focusing now more on the scientific research which will be used to help create sustainable internationally accepted programs and policies on dolphin watching in Bohol.

They have set up a very easy and convenient e-registration system where you can sign up for the race from any computer which ends on January 31. Their website, www.conduraskywaymarathon.com has all the information you need. Cash or credit card mode of payments are accepted.

By 2012, the Condura Skyway Marathon race will be one of the premier marathon events in the Asia-Pacific region. This is another opportunity to put the Philippines in the map of outdoor sporting events. This year, they expect about 15,000 runners to join and the numbers have been growing yearly. Best of luck to the organizers.

Want to run with me? Tweet me @patriciahizon or tell me all about your racing preparations on www.patriciahizon.com