Camarines Sur has previously hosted the Ironman 70.3.

Judging from attendees at the recently concluded CamSur Marathon 2010 press launch — hotshots from sports, politics, and entertainment — the sporting event is predicted to be the biggest, if not the best, among the previous marathons held locally this year. 

How could it not be? If the hand of God works before September 26 comes, the date of the actual marathon, it may as well be included among the ranks of New York, Vienna, and Boston marathons.  It's going to be the biggest in Southeast Asia and it's happening in Camarines Sur, voted as 2009's number one tourist destination in the Philippines!

"In the past, we have previously hosted other international competitions such as the Ironman 70.3, World Wakeboard Championships, Asian Wakeboard Championships, and the International Dragon Boat Festival.  Our Caramoan Islands are also home to the reality show "Survivor" franchise of France, Bulgaria, Serbia, Israel, Turkey, and Sweden," recalls Hon. Gov. Luis Raymund Villafuerte, Jr. 

"This year, in our continued efforts to pursue nation building," he adds, "we will be hosting the first ever CamSur Marathon that will be participated in by the country's prominent personalities as well as elite runners from all over the world."

Race director Coach Rio dela Cruz was also on hand during the launch.  He shares: "After close to a year of preparation, our dream of organizing a bonafide international marathon here in the Philippines has finally materialized.  The historic running event aims to attract local and foreign athletic delegates, running celebrities, and runners of all fitness levels.  The CamSur Marathon is sure be race-worthy and of international stature."

"We will be using D-Tag, the same electronic timing device used in the New York Marathons," coach dela Cruz explains. "We also assure fast release of race results, adequate hydration in water stations located every kilometer, and accurately placed kilometer markers to help runners pace themselves."

Finally, what makes the event über-special are the good intentions behind its conception.  Three organizations are expected to benefit from the marathon namely: Gawad Kalinga, a nation-building organization that aims to empower poverty-stricken Filipinos through dignity restoration and values transformation;  K.I.D.S. Foundation that aims to uplift the standards of living of the youth, and the National Kidney Transplant Institution which heads the Organ Donor Card advocacy.

"The vision of these organizations serves as the inspiration for the CamSur Marathon," Gov. Villafuerte says.

One of the highlights of the marathon is the Gawad Kalinga "Bayanihan Run" category where participating groups will race as  a team of 15 and commit to pledge to raise funds to build GK communities for the poorest of the poor.

(For more information on how to join the race, visit camsurmarathon.com.)