Manila streets to come alive with energy, cultural pride

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WITH a bit of everything – music, marathon, medals and memories, the third edition of the ASICS Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series comes off the wraps this Saturday night in front of the Rizal monument in Manila.

“We will have the four Ms – music, marathon, memories and medals – plus a bit more for our ASICS Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series where we expect around 9,000 runners from 58 countries attending,” Ironman Group chief Princess Galura said yesterday during the final session of the Philippine Sportswriters Association forum for 2024 at the Robinson’s Place Manila Activity Center.

Manila Vice Mayor Yul Servo, representing Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna, said the colorful running festival backed by ASICS and leading insurance company AIA will showcase the city’s major tourist attractions.

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Servo noted that the race will pass through Manila’s iconic spots such as the Manila Cathedral, Binondo, the world’s oldest Chinatown, Fort Santiago and San Agustin Church in Intramuros and the Bonifacio Monument.

“Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna will allow the city’s Christmas lights to be lit throughout the event to add spice and color to the occasion,” Department of Tourism and Cultural Arts of Manila head Charlie Dungo said in the public sports program backed by

San Miguel Corporation, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, Smart/PLDT, MILO, and the country’s 24/7 sports app Arena Plus.

“We are proud to be partnering with the ASICS Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series because this is also part of AIA’s commitment to engaging more Filipinos in having an active and healthy lifestyle,” said AIA marketing head Melissa Henson.

Rustica Faith So, Brand Communications executive of the Sonak Group of Companies, the exclusive distributor of ASICS sports gear in the country, said their support of the running event was in line with the Japanese brand’s Latin slogan of “anime en sana en corpore sano,” (sound mind in a sound body), which is what the acronym ASICS stands for.

With the race to be held on mostly flat terrain with the exception of the slight inclination on Jones Bridge, Galura said she expects runners to match or surpass their personal bests during the races that will be held over the 5, 10, 21K distances and 42-kilometer full marathon.

She added there will be live bands along the race route to perk up the participants until the event winds up in the wee hours of Sunday morning.

“We are grateful despite the many running events still going on, the ASICS Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series has drawn a fairly large number of runners,” she said.

The grand finale awaits runners at the Quirino Grandstand, where a lively midnight concert will cap off a night of endurance and entertainment.

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