Press Release
Smart backs country’s first all-women ultramarathon
[08 March 2012 | Cebu] As part of its commitment to help promote sports in the country, wireless leader Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) is supporting the country’s first ever All-Women Ultramarathon race.
Smart is the only telco participating in the race, which was organized by the Cebu Ultra Runners Club and Ungo Runners Club, in celebration of women empowerment and the month of March as “International Women’s Month”.
According to Wikipedia, an ultramarathon is any sporting event involving running longer than the traditional marathon length of 42.195 kilometers.
To be held on March 10, 2012 in Cebu, the race is the first ultramarathon of the year and the first all-female ultramarathon in the country.
“We are proud to be part of the country’s first all-women ultramarathon. This is in line with Smart’s commitment to help fuel sports enthusiasm among Filipinos, and at the same time, celebrate the achievements of women,” said Maria Jane Paredes, head of Smart’s Public Affairs in Visayas and Midnanao.
About 180 women ultramarathon runners from Cebu, Metro Manila, Davao and neighboring towns and cities are expected to join the race. Members of Smart’s running club, Samahang Mananakbo ng Smart or SMS, are among the women joining the grueling race.
As a show of support to the event, SMS is also deploying a hydration station along the race route, specifically along Imus St., by the Department of Education building.
The race will start at 10 p.m. at the Active Zone of Ayala Center Cebu and will have a 10-hour cut off time, before participants meet at the finish line in Lapu-Lapu City.
At the finish line, the limited edition Smart Rocket Chic -- the first 4G Internet dongle designed for women – will be waiting for the race winners.
“With the Rocket Chic, the country’s fastest and strongest women runners will be able to enjoy Internet speeds that take advantage of Smart’s superior, nationwide mobile broadband network,” added Paredes.
Powered by Smart’s unparalleled High Speed Packet Access Plus (HSPA+) network, the Rocket Chic can blast off into the Internet at speeds of up to 12 Mbps.
Meanwhile, all finishers will receive a specially crafted medal, a finisher’s shirt, and a loot bag at the finish line.
