Subic racefest wants NY Marathon atmosphere

A world-class event patterned after the renowned New York Marathon will be unveiled in next year’s first biggest sporting event — the Subic International Marathon. To be held on January 9, 2011, the event is expected to surpass its first two international stagings. This time, the SIM will be held at the Remy Field inside Subic Freeport Zone. But unlike in the previous events, organizers headed by Gen. Sam Tucay and race director Eric Imperio of extribe, inc. promised runners that they will experience a world-class marathon event. “We tapped Eric Imperio because we want this event to be run to perfection," said Gen. Tucay, founder of the Subic International Marathon, which also partnered with the Philippine National Police Corps Movement and the SBMA while tapping Chris Sports and Subic Residencias as the event’s registering partners. “We want to pattern our race after the famous New York Marathon," added Tucay, whose group expects 13,000 participants competing in the 42-K, 21-K, 10-K, 5-K and 3-K events. The New York Marathon is one of the most famous marathons in the world. It attracts an average of 40,000 runners annually. Imperio, the same race manager of the 70.3 Ironman Challenge and the 10-10-10 Pasig Run, believes the SIM has the makings of another world-class standard. “Runners will be given race chips, which we got from an Australian company, to monitor the time of the participants consistently. Portalets will also be made available in the race course, while drinking water will also be provided every 1.5-kilometers of the race," said Imperio. The SIM is considered to have the safest, cleanest, and most gorgeous 42-K race course in the country. With the theme “Run for Fun and Transformation," SIM hopes to set a standard among local marathon events being held in the country. - KY, RCJ, GMANews.TV