Despite funding constraints, shelving the Negros Marathon Relay this year is not an option for the Negros Occidental Track and Field Association, NOTAFA president Roger Banzuela said yesterday.

Banzuela said that he is exploring the possibility of staging a solitary leg from Kabankalan to Bacolod to accommodate the clamor of the teams, if NOTAFA fails to raise the funding requirement of P.5 million.

"The teams really want the marathon to push through. They have been training hard over the summer," Banzuela said. "If we cancel the marathon this year, it will be difficult to revive it next year".

The race has been scheduled to start June 19 but the NOTAFA chief said that the event may be moved to a later date.

Banzuela said the marathon is a boost for the province, especially in the area of sports tourism. Six teams have signified their intention to join the marathon, led by defending champion Himamaylan City, 2005 titlist Bago, Cadiz, Silay, Bacolod, Victorias and La Carlota.

The marathon covers 425.8 kilometers. The first leg covers the Hinoba-an to Kabankalan City (102.60 kilometers), followed by the Kabankalan to Don Salvador Benedicto route (136.1 km). The third leg will be from DSB to Escalante (91.40-km.), while the fourth and final leg will be from Escalante to the Provincial Capitol (95.70-km.). *CPT

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