December 5 Q.C. Marathon route OK'd

Quezon City (1 December) -- Motorists and commuters read this:

On December 5, 2010, roads leading to the Quezon Memorial Circle, Commonwealth Avenue, C.P. Garcia St., and the University Avenue in Diliman will be closed to vehicular traffic from 12 midnight to 12 noon to give way to the 2nd QC International Marathon.

This early, the city government, on orders of Mayor Herbert Bautista, has started mapping out traffic management plans to ensure the orderly movement of traffic along the race route, which will start and end at the Quezon Memorial Circle.

The city's Department of Public Order and Safety (DPOS) plans to implement a two-way traffic along the southbound lane of Commonwealth Avenue to ease traffic movement in the area.

Some 400 traffic personnel from the DPOS will be fielded during the marathon to complement the traffic management force to be provided by the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the QC Police District.

The city government also deputized the barangay public security officers to oversee traffic movement on secondary and inner roads.

Meanwhile, the city will allow free parking at the QC Hall compound but not along major city roads such as Visayas Avenue, Kalayaan Avenue, East Avenue, Commonwealth Avenue and Quezon Avenue to prevent further traffic buildup.

Already, the Mayor ordered the formation of the QC International Marathon organizing committee to oversee the successful staging of the December sports event, which the Mayor said, forms part of the city's wellness, sports, tourism, and health programs.

The Mayor sits as overall chairman of the committee, which was formed by virtue of an executive order.

As provided under the executive order, the city government shall provide the venue for the marathon and assistance in mapping out the marathon route.

Event organizers said all routes have already been certified by the Phil. Amateur Track and Field Association (PATAFA) and given approval by the QC government and MMDA. The marathon route was also given clearance by the University of the Philippines and the La Mesa Eco Park.

The 2nd QC International Marathon offers 5K, 10K, 21K and 42K races. (PIA-MMIO)