SMART bats for full support for Filipino runners, sponsors int'l marathon

by Smartsports Staff
August 24, 2009

Photo taken at the launch of the SMART Subic International Marathon 2009 shows (L-R) Connie Beltran, District 3810 Governor of civic group Rotary International; Patrick Gregorio, Sports and Special Projects Head of SMART; retired General Samson Tucay, founder of Subic International Marathon; General Leopoldo Bataoil, Director for Community Relations of the PNP; and Adi delos Reyes, President of E-ventologists Co., the race organizer.

Leading wireless services provider Smart Communications, Inc. (SMART) continues to be actively involved in the discovery and development of Filipino athletes, and promote the value of various sports. It has partnered with Philippine National Police (PNP) officers for the SMART Subic International Marathon (SIM) 2009 to be held on October 24 to 25 in Subic – an event expected to engage more than 10,000 runners from all over the world who will vie for over P1.6 million in prizes.

SMART executives, headed by sports and special projects head Pato Gregorio, joined PNP Director for Community Relations General Leopoldo Bataoil and retired General Samson Tucay, founder of the long-distance running event, during the recent launch of the SMART SIM in Makati.

The marathon will feature a 42.19-km race, a half-marathon or 21-km race, and 10-km, 5-km, and 3-km fun races. It offers cash prizes totaling P1.6 million, including USD$5,000 each for the top male and female runners – the biggest prize among all marathon events in the country so far. This cash prize is at par with that of the Boston Marathon and other international events of its kind.

SMART SIM 2009 is the only long-distance running event in the country that is accredited by the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS).

General Bataoil and Tucay jointly said the marathon traces its roots to the PNP in 2004, when PNP senior officers started a campaign around the country to promote running for health, fitness and wellness.

"Running is symbolic of one’s physical development. To have a sound mind, to be a productive and responsible citizen and contribute to nation-building, one needs to have a sound body," said General Bataoil.

"Our goals are to bring in the best runners from all over the world, and to discover promising Filipino runners from every corner of the country. We are proud that in SMART, we have found a partner which shares our vision and belief that Filipino runners can compete against the best in the world," said Tucay.

According to Gregorio, SMART’s support of long-distance running is perfectly aligned with the telco’s advocacy of helping advance the value of sports, and the discovery and development of Filipino athletes.

“Our involvement in basketball, boxing, tennis, taekwondo, cycling, and now running, is driven by clear and simple goals – to help the Filipino athlete, discover and train promising talents, and to encourage those involved in sports where Filipinos have a fighting chance of one day bringing home an Olympic gold,“ said Gregorio.

Interested runners may register for the SMART Subic International Marathon 2009 through www.subicinternationalmarathon.com.