Over 5,000 runners including past and present basketball stars of host San Sebastian College-Recoletos will race for a cause today in the  2nd Stags Run 2012 dubbed "Takbo para sa Edu-Misyon" scheduled on Jan. 15 at the ASEANA City fronting the new Department of Foreign Affairs building.

Paul Alvarez and coach Topex Robinson and his players Calvin Abueva, Ian Sangalang and Anthony del Rio of reigning Champions League titlist San Sebastian will spearhead the expected big cast of participants in the one-day race hoping to generate money to fund its charitable missions in Palawan and in West Africa.

Pasay City Mayor Anotnino Calixto, another alumnus, has confirmed his presence in the event that  coincides with the  school's 65th founding anniversary celebration.

Competitions will be divided into three categories, 3k, 5k and 10k, starting at 6 a.m. with the entrance fee pegged at P500 per participant that goes with a singlet, race. No. and free breakfast.

The top three in the men's and women's 10k event will receive P6,000, P4,000 and P2,000, respectively while winners in 5k and 3k will take home P5,000, P3,000 and P2,000 and P3,000, P2,000 and P1,000.

The goal, of course, is attract more participants compared to last year when the school drew an impressive 5,300-plus runners right on the inaugural staging of the one-day race that also seeks to promote a healthy lifestyle through running.

"We hope to attract and draw as many participants as last year but if we could get more to join our event, the better for everybody," said Fr. Christopher Maspara, OAR, who heads the committee in charge of the organiozation of the event.