ABS-CBN Foundation’s Kapit Bisig Para Sa Ilog Pasig (KBPIP) is getting ready to break the Guinness World Record for the largest number of participants in a footrace with its “Run for the Pasig River” slated on October 10, 2010 (10.10.10).

The epic fun run is going for 120,000 registered runners to beat the world record of 110,000 held by the 1988 “Bay to Breakers” race in San Francisco, USA.

Last year, KBPIP organized the Philippine International Marathon: A Run for the Pasig River where 23,000 individuals participated to raise funds for the seven-year Pasig River cleanup campaign and to create more awareness for the cause.

The marathon helped bring in donations to KBPIP including the P30M from former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. So far, the efforts of KBPIP and its partner agencies in the government and private sector have already brought significant development to Estero de Paco, a key tributary of the Pasig River. Thousands of families living beside the river have also been relocated to a safer and more productive community in Calauan.

“We always want to grow bigger. So on 10.10.10, we not only decided to put on a marathon, we have also decided to break the Guinness Book of Records by going for 120,000 registered participants,” enthused ABS-CBN Foundation Managing Director and KBPIP Project Director Gina Lopez.

Asked if the 120,000 mark can be hit, race organizer Eric Imperio said, “It would definitely be a challenge. We would need to make a collaborative effort as Filipinos to be part of not just history, in terms of breaking the world record, but also to be part of an advocacy and movement to have clean rivers and waters in our country.”

Lopez, meanwhile, is certain that Filipinos can break the record. “The only reason why I’m very confident that we can hit 120,000 [participants] is because of all our partners—the schools, army, police, corporate donors and local agencies and governments…surely the Filipinos can beat the world record in terms of running with our hearts,” she said.

The universities and colleges under the Commission on Higher Education recently pledged around 80,000 participants for the run. El Shaddai, one of the largest religious movements in the Philippines, will also field 15,000 participants on 10.10.10, according to its spiritual leader Mike Velarde.

“What is unique about this event is that it is really more of a run than a race. It is a no-frills run, where participation is what is being emphasized,” explained Imperio, who organizes the race with Rio Dela Cruz and Thumby Remigio.

The run will have three different starting points—SM Mall of Asia for 3K, CCP Complex for 5K, and Ayala Triangle for 10K. Instead of a finisher’s shirt, participants will get a bracelet made from recycled materials by the relocatees of KBPIP.

“At the end of the day, Pasig River is not my river,” said Lopez. “It’s everyone’s river, it’s everyone’s responsibility. And if everyone feels the same way and takes it on and has a keen sentiment, then there is no way, no way, that that river will not be clean. So I hope everyone joins us on 10.10.10,” Lopez ended.

To sign up and for more details, you may visit www.101010runforpasigriver.com.