Sofitel Manila Revives the Manila Half Marathon

Sofitel Manila, in partnership with RunRio, Inc., revives the Manila Half Marathon for a charity fun run event to support the Virlanie Foundation!

Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila announces the revival of the Manila Half Marathon, last staged in 2008. This year, it will be called as the Sofitel Manila Half Marathon 2014 which will feature 5k, 10k and 21k categories to be held at the Mall of Asia grounds on August 17 at 4:30am (21km), 5:00am (10km) and 5:10am (5km). Cash prizes and luxury prizes from Sofitel Manila are at stake for the top three male and female winners for each category.

“The Sofitel Manila Half Marathon aims to be at par with other international marathons such as the Boston Marathon or Singapore Marathon. Aside from this, the greater aim of the event is to contribute to the upliftment of the lives of the street children of Manila through Virlanie Foundation, the beneficiary of the marathon. In the last year, we have raised over PHP 1.5 million through the two runs we organized – a part of the proceeds had been used to purchase a van that was handed over to the foundation for their activities. This year we are targeting to have over 6,000 runners and for better success in terms of fund raising. ” says Sofitel Manila General Manager Adam Laker.

The Sofitel Manila Half Marathon is a collaboration between the Sofitel Manila and the premier running event organizer in the country, Runrio Inc., headed by Coach Rio de la Cruz. “By organizing the Sofitel Manila Half Marathon, we hope to one day become one of the world's most popular running event attracting both amateur and professional runners from all over the world to compete in Manila. This marathon is dedicated to the children of Virlanie Foundation with the objective of contributing to a better future for the children of Manila.” says Coach Rio de la Cruz.

The marathon takes the runners through a panoramic view of the Manila Bay while running with the cool breeze of the bay. Sofitel Manila Half Marathon 2014 follows the two highly successful running events brought about by the Sofitel-Runrio partnership in 2013: The Sofitel Runrio Battle of the Sexes Leg 1 and 2. Just like the two Battle of the Sexes events, the Manila Half Marathon shall be a green race. Runners are highly encouraged to bring their own water bottles for refilling at hydration stations, instead of using paper and plastic cups.

Online registration is extended until August 13 and in-store registration is until August 10 at Toby’s MOA, Toby’s SM North The Block and Move, 30th Street BGC.

Registration fees are as follows: PHP 750 for the 5k category, PHP 850 for the 10k category, and PHP 950 for the 21k category. All runners shall receive a race bib, singlet, and finisher loot bag and drinks. Likewise, runners of the 21km category will receive finisher’s medal and finisher’s shirt.

This event is co-presented by Gatorade and sponsored by the following: Gold’s Gym, DOCOMO, StarXpo, DOLE, Delsan Office Systems,Canon Fashion Tailoring,10 Inch Lights and sounds, Dowi Hosiery, Delizio Fine Foods, Diversey, MJ Global, M Plus, Timex, Premier water and Nizoral. Media partners include ANC, Business World, Fox International Channels, Manila Bulletin, Philippine Daily Inquirer and Radio High.

For the complete details of the event, please go to https://www.facebook.com/events/646330318779698/.

For ticket inquiry and further information, please call (02) 703.1736 or (02) 463.4814 or email feedback@runrio.com.

To discover Sofitel Manila, please go to http://www.sofitelmanila.com/en.