Fresh from a successful sponsorship of its Philippine clients in the ING-New York City Marathon, one of the world’s largest sporting events, ING Bank in Manila is mounting a special running event on December 11 at the Bonifacio Global City in Taguig. Dubbed “Running 20,” in celebration of its 20th year in the country, ING Bank has partnered with Habitat for Humanity to raise more funds for the 2nd ING Village in Calauan, Laguna that will house 100 families displaced by Typhoon Ondoy and informal settlers along the Pasig River.

Aside from helping ING Bank and Habitat for Humanity build more homes, runners could get a chance to win cash prizes while those in the 20-kilometer event could win a slot in next year’s ING-NYC Marathon, dubbed as  the “Mecca” or the “Holy Grail” of all running aficionados. The ING-NYC Marathon is the largest one-day live sporting event in the world that draws more than 70,000 runners, two million spectators and a worldwide television audience of 315 million.

Previous Filipino runners in the ING-NYC Marathon included CEO clients of ING and Senator Pia Cayetano, also an avid runner. Habitat for Humanity and Ayala Land, Inc. Chairman Fernando Zobel de Ayala, who also ran in one of the ING-NYC Marathons, will also join “Running 20.” Through the support of runners like Mr. Zobel and their friends and families, ING Bank was able to raise funds three years ago for the first ING Village in Baseco, Tondo where there are now more than 170 homes. For “Running 20,” the target is to raise funds for at least 20 additional houses for the 2nd ING Village in Calauan Laguna.

“It requires a great amount of passion to run for every Filipino family who needs a roof over their heads. Participating in this marathon is a very timely holiday gift for those in dire need of shelter,” said Consuelo Garcia, Philippines country manager of ING Bank, which has already donated an initial amount of P2.1 million to Habitat to kick-start the construction of the new ING Village as part of its global commitment to make a difference by building one home at a time.

The December 11 race, which starts at 5 AM, has four categories in men’s and ladies’ divisions: the 3K, 5K, 10K and 20K. Runners in the first three categories must pay an entry fee of P500 each and will receive a race kit, RFID tag, singlet and corporate giveaways. The entry fee for the 20K race is P1,000 and runners also get a commemorative shirt, a finisher medal, and some giveaways.

Interested participants in “Running 20” race have until December 8, 2010 to register online at www.habitat.org.ph or in any of these registration booths: ROX at the Bonifacio High Street in Taguig City; in any Reebok store in Trinoma Mall, Megamall and Festival Mall; and any Royal Sporting House in Glorietta 4 and Robinson’s Place in Ermita. Contact the event organizer, Pep Squad Events & Marketing Services, at telephone numbers 560-0252 or 348-6784 or via email at info@pepsquadevents.com.