3rd QCIM reels off this Sunday

A fast and exciting race looms in the third edition of the Quezon City International Marathon (QCIM) which reels off on Dec. 4, with all the race routes for its four events mapped out and certified by the Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association (PATAFA) in close coordination with the race organizer, Executive Runners Club of the Philippines (Runnex).

For the safety of the participants, part of the Elliptical Road and the entire north-bound lane of Commonwealth Ave. which covers a major portion of the race course will be closed to traffic during the QCIM.

Expected to participate in the annual event are 15,000 local and foreign runners with organizers saying that the number could swell more because of extension in the registration until Wednesday, Nov. 30. 

The runners will trace a relatively flat out-and-back course starting from the Quezon City Hall.  Besides Commonwealth Ave., the widest roadway in the country, the route highlights some of the major points of interest in the city like the refreshing grounds of UP Diliman campus and La Mesa Water Dam Eco-Park.

The route for the QCIM’s 5-K run will initially pass the vicinity of Philcoa onward to Commonwealth, proceeding past its junction with Tandang Sora and Katipunan. Before reaching the Tandang Sora Flyover, the runners will turn around for the finish at the Quezon City Memorial Circle.

The 10-K course follows the same route but proceeds farther along Commonwealth to its turnaround point in the vicinity of the Don Antonio Sports Complex past the Diliman preparatory school and traces the same length back to the start/finish area.

The 21-K route traverses the initial leg of the 10-K distance and proceeds onward along Commonwealth Avenue to the La Mesa Eco-Park through Marlboro St. The turnaround is at the park’s gate for the return leg to the finish line.

The 42-K course likewise passes in front of Philcoa and then takes a tour of the UP Diliman Campus via University Avenue and E. de los Santos, Kalaw, Pardo de Tavera, C.P. Garcia, Velasquez, and E. Ma. Guerrero streets before exiting to Commonwealth via Magsaysay Ave.  The race proceeds to the La Mesa Eco-Park also through Marlboro Road and takes the same Commonwealth–UP Diliman route back to the finish grounds at the Memorial Circle.

Motorists bound to these areas on race day are advised to take alternative streets. Or they can join the QCIM’s car-free day initiated for those living in the Fairview/Commonwealth/UP Diliman districts. This voluntary campaign encourages the residents to defer using their vehicles on Dec. 4 from 12 midnight to 12 noon not only to give way to runners in the SMDC-QC International Marathon but also to contribute in long-term efforts on climate change mitigation by reducing air pollution.