SMART S.I.M. 2009 (Subic International Marathon)

by Smartsports Staff

June 7, 2009

from left to right: Pato Gregorio(Smart Sports Marketing Head), Danilo J. Mojica III( Smart Wireless Consumer Division Head), General Jesus Vesoza (PNP Chief), Manuel V. wPangilinan (Chairman PLDT-SMART), General Samuel R. Tucay, Orlando B. Vea (Smart Chief Wireless Adviser), Ramon S. Fernandez (NLEX President)

Smart Communications, Inc. (SMART) and Philippine National Police (PNP) officers have partnered together for the SMART Subic International Marathon 2009, aptly called SMART SIM 2009, to be held on October 24 to 25 at Subic Bay Freeport.

PLDT and SMART Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan joined PNP Chief Jesus Verzosa and retired General Samson Tukay, founder of the long-distance running event, during the contract signing last June 24 at the PLDT main office in Makati.

The marathon features a 42.19-km. event and is expected to draw 10,000 runners from all over the world. It offers cash prizes totaling P1.6 million, including USD$5,000 for the top male and female runners. This cash prize is at par with that of the Boston Marathon.

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).

Tukay said the marathon traces its roots to the PNP in 2004. PNP senior officers started moving around the country to promote running for health, fitness and wellness.

"Running is symbolic of the development of sports and the physical development of policemen to be emulated by the community. To have a sound mind, you need to have a sound body," said Versoza, who champions the Transformation Program of the PNP.

Their efforts resulted in four long-distance running events, the latest of which was the Subic Marathon 2008.

"We started with just passion in our hearts. No one supported us. We spent our own money for prizes and to pay for the accommodations of those who helped us former police officers," said Tukay.

"We wanted to bring in the best runners from all over the world to the Philippines and to go to different parts of our country to get the best contenders. Now with SMART as our sponsor, how can we go wrong?" he added.

“Together with the officers of the Philippine National Police, this will be the biggest and most prestigious marathon event in the country for years to come,” promises Pangilinan.

Patrick Gregorio, head of the SMART sports marketing group, said the telco decided to support long-distance running since it is a sport where Filipinos can excel.

"The event involves a lot of drama, as we can see in the faces of athletes who participate in this grueling sport. And the Filipino, once trained well, certainly has the potential to excel in international events. Why can't we win a gold medal in the Olympics, for example? It's because there's no serious, concrete program," explained Gregorio.

"We've been very meticulous in looking for a partner who would be passionate and very professional, we didn't know it would be the PNP. We never realized how big this can be," he added.

SMART's advocacy for long-distance running is also shared by its employees who have formed a running club called Samahang Mananakbo ng SMART (SMS). SMS officers, who came in their running gear, were present during the contract signing to express their full support.

Adi S. delos Reyes, President of E-ventologists Co., the event organizer, said the race on October 24 will feature a 42-km. race from Floridablanca tollgate to Remy Field in Subic Bay Freeport. There will be a 21-km. event on October 25. This year’s marathon will also include the SCTEX for the first time.

The international contenders expected to attend include the Kenyans who won the top prize in Subic Marathon 2008.

Aside from the prizes and prestige, SMART SIM 2009 is distinguished by its advocacy not just for sports but for overall wellness.

As Tukay shared: "I've been running for years. As I've been going around the country, I did a survey among those who run seriously—5 km., three times a week. And I found out that all of them—man, woman and child—are drug-free. They also have the discipline to spend time with their families. So, if we continue to promote running, it will be a big help to the country."