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3000 Run by the Lake

3000 runners are expected to join the 2012 Freedom Run By The Lake with the theme i am free from corruption, on 21 October 2012 in Taytay, Rizal. This follows on the success of the country's first Freedom Run last year.

Aside from showing support for anti-corruption initiatives, this year’s Freedom Run also touches on the issue of the environment. A portion of each participant's registration fee will go to the continuing relief efforts to communities still submerged in flood waters since the strong monsoon rains in August. The venue is Club Manila East Compound in the municipality of Taytay near Metro Manila, covering the route with a view of the east side of Laguna Lake.

“We are celebrating our freedom to run in a clean environment. At the same time, we want to give a reminder that we have a responsibility to future generations that they may still enjoy the balance of nature,” said Secretary Neric Acosta, Presidential Adviser for Environmental Protection and Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) General Manager. “We are a water people but ironically, when we have too little of it we waste and disperse, and when we have too much of it, we submerge. We have a role to keep a balanced order of things,” described Acosta. LLDA celebrates its 43rd anniversary in October.

3k and 10k categories are available for a registration fee of P350 and P450 respectively, P50 of which will go to the continuing relief efforts to communities still submerged in flood waters since the strong monsoon rains in August. In addition, participants will get “I am free from corruption” shirts and finishers will receive medals and FREEbies at the end of the race. Runners can sign up online at www.freedomrun.ph or at Runnr stores and UP-NCPAG.

The event is once again spearheaded by the Philippine office of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNF), a German political foundation, in partnership with LLDA, the Municipality of Taytay, Rizal and the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE-CALD), with San Miguel Corporation as major sponsor. The run is also supported by the University of the Philippines National College of Public Administration and Governance, Liberal Party and the Kaya Natin Movement. FNF country director Jules Maaten: "Last year we had twice as many participants as expected, showing the resolve of the Philippine people to work against corruption. The Run is part of our ongoing campaign "It's All About Freedom", and we are delighted that so many people, institutions and organisations are joining us in this advocacy, especially now that the fight against corruption and for good governance is beginning to bear fruit."

In 2011 the Freedom Run took place at UP Diliman.

More information: Pauline Sanchez, 09209158428/8196086, freedomrun.ph@gmail.com