7^th Official Asian Games FUN RUN 2004 19-12-2004

Over three hundred children from Manila sprinted to the finish line along Roxas Boulevard, Manila bay on 19th December for the seventh Official Asian Games Fun Run.  The Fun Run celebrated sport in Asia and highlighted the 15th Asian Games Doha 2006. 

Organised by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) and Philippine Olympic Committee, children aged between 8 -14 were invited to participate in the event, which spread the message of the Asian Games in the region and also promoted development, understanding and friendship throughout the continent.

The event, hosted by the city of Manila and supported by the Manila Sports Council, started and ended at the Baywalk Area using the South-bound stretch of Roxas Boulevard which was closed to traffic.

DOT Undersecretary Cynthia Carreon led the young participants in the warm-up exercises before the run while present at the awarding ceremonies was POC first vice president Steve Hontiveros together with gold medalist, Wushu world champion Arwin Ting and 1992 Olympics boxing bronze medalist, Roel Velasco.

The fun run, which featured three age groups in both the boys and girls divisions, was organized locally by the Sports For All Commission headed by Triathlon Association of the Philippines president Tom Carrasco Jr.

The event attracted wide-spread press attention with local TV station Channel 23 and a variety of print media present at the event and the sports radio DZSR 918 broadcasting live from the venue to all over the Philippines.   

Each child was given a limited edition Asian Games Fun Run 2004 t-shirt and cap and upon completion received a certificate of achievement from the Olympic Council of Asia.