PH Consulate General in New York Hosts Carbo-Loading for Pinoy Marathoners
Philippine Consul General to New York Claro S. Cristobal (center) and Marilou Cristobal (foremost seated) join Filipino runners during the carbo-loading event at the Philippine Center on 01 November 2019. (New York PCG photo)
NEW YORK 26 November 2019 — The Philippine Consulate General in New York hosted a carbo-loading reception for Filipino runners who participated in the 49th New York City Marathon on 01 November 2019 at the Philippine Center.
The 2019 New York Marathon, the largest and most popular in the world with more than 53,625 finishers this year, was held on 03 November 2019.
More than 200 runners and guests from all over the world participated in the highly anticipated event which served as a venue for networking and sharing of marathon experiences among the runners. Expert runners shared marathon tips with beginners while everyone was loading with carbohydrates and enjoying pansit, spaghetti, empanada, cassava cake, and of course, New York pizza and bottles of soda.
Philippine Consul General to New York Claro S. Cristobal welcomed the runners to New York and wished them a safe and fun marathon.
The Consulate distributed Philippine flag stickers with the hotline number of the Consulate. Consul General Cristobal encouraged them to place a sticker on their marathon bib to facilitate identification and communication in case of emergency.
Games and music provided by Filipino-American (Fil-Am) DJs added to the energy and excitement of the participants.
TJ Isla, a trail runner based in the Philippines, thanked the Consulate General and its partners on behalf of the runners for organizing the event. Paul Casino, who has completed several NYC marathons, gave advice on how to finish the marathon. He emphasized the importance of running safely while enjoying the experience. Fr. Patrick Longalong, a Filipino priest based in Queens, New York, led the prayer for the safety of the runners.
The event was held in partnership with the Philippine Department of Tourism in New York, Fil-Am Triathlon Club, Junior Chamber International (JCI) Philippine-New York, and Balut Patrol, with the support of GMA Pinoy TV, Pinoy Runners Global, Pinoy Runners USA, Papa's Kitchen and International Women Artists.
Philippine Consul to New York Arman R. Talbo and New York-based marathoner Bel Molina served as the event's emcees.
The Consulate and different Fil-Am groups set up cheering areas along the marathon route, encouraging Filipino runners and giving them water and food, if needed.
Based on data from event organizer New York Road Runners, there are 197 runners (101 men, 96 women) who identified themselves as runners from the Philippines. There are other Filipino runners who chose to be listed under their country of residence.
Mark Deligero is the top finisher from the Philippines with a time of two hours, 50 minutes, 28 seconds (2:50:28), followed by Juan Francisco Balagtas with a time of 3:11:22.
The oldest Filipino who completed the event is Josephine Villanueva, 66 years old from Quezon City. She finished the marathon with an official time of 7:24:40. END
Philippine Consul General to New York Claro S. Cristobal (rightmost) gives his welcome remarks for the carbo-loading event at the Philippine Center on 01 November 2019. (New York PCG photo)
Marathoners fill up on carbs before the 49th New York City Marathon to be held on 03 November 2019. (New York PCG photo)
Filipinos raise the Philippine flag high and proud during the 49th New York City Marathon on 03 November 2019. (New York PCG photo)
Philippine Consulate of New York staff and members of the Filipino community cheer on the runners as they approach the final three-mile stretch during the 49th New York City Marathon on 03 November 2019. (New York PCG photo)
For more information, visit https://www.newyorkpcg.dfa.gov.ph, https://www.newyorkpcg.org or https://www.facebook.com/PHLinNY/.