by Juliet Saley

BONTOC, Mt. Province (9 February) -- The province will be sending three athletes to participate in the Philippine Marathon for the Pasig River on February 24.

Executive Assistant for External Sports Development Romeo Palod of the Governors's Office said Alunes Podes and Marvin Ngidaya, both from Bansa, Bauko will participate in the 10K level while Kervin Lamyong of Nanggawa, Lesseb, Bauko will participate in the 3K level.

The Philippine Marathon for the Pasig River was conceived in an order to continuously nurture awareness of the Pasig River's sad plight and advocate for its continued rehabilitation. It is a running event anchored on an environmental cause that seeks to promote its rehabilitation.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo issued Proclamation No. 780 last February 7, 2005 declaring February 27, 2005 as "Philippine Marathon for the Pasig River Day" and the month of February 2005 and every year thereafter as "Philippine Marathon for the Pasig River Month."

The annual Philippine Marathon for the Pasig River which is conducted every last Sunday of February is one of the biggest events in local sports and environmental advocacy and has been accredited by the International Association of Athletic Federations and the Association of International Marathons and Road Races, thus making it an official international marathon event.

Palod, who will accompany the athletes, said Gov. Maximo B. Dalog fully supports the participation of Mt. Province in this event. The province will shoulder the registration fee of each participants and their travel expenses.

A non-refundable registration fee of P200 or $10.00 shall be paid by participants in the 10K and P150 or $6.00 shall be paid by 3K and 5K participants. The fee includes the race packet, numerical bib, notice to competitors and route map.

There are four categories in this competitive race. The 42K is open to male and female who are fit to run a full-distance marathon and are 18 years old and above. The 5K and 10K is open to male and female 14 years old and above and the 3K is open to children boys and girls who are 13 years old and below.

Apart from trophies and medals, there are also cash prizes for the top 30 male finishers and top 20 female finishers of the 42K race. Medals and cash prizes await the top 10 male and top 10 female finishers of the 10K, 5K, and 3K.