'Run for Guimaras' to blast off Sunday

Before millions of Filipinos will be glued to their television sets to watch the blockbuster Manny Pacquiao-Erik Morales rubbermatch, Cebu's running buffs will hit the roads first to take part in the "Run for Guimaras" event early morning this Sunday starting at the Marcelo B. Fernan Bridge in Lapu-Lapu City.

Organized by the Run for Sight Foundation headed by Dr. Potenciano "Yong" Larrazabal III in partnership with C & E Publishing Inc., the run-for-a-cause is for the benefit of the people of Guimaras, most of them are in the process of reconstructing their lives after being badly hit by the country's worst oil spill in recent years.

"We are very appreciative that several companies have been attracted to this worthwhile event. The Cebu Doctors Group of Companies is wholeheartedly supporting this race and we're proud that other sponsors have willingly supported our endeavor," said CDGC president Potenciano Larrazabal, Jr.

"I encourage everyone to join this event because they are running for a cause. They are running for the people of Guimaras," added Larrazabal.

And in a praiseworthy show of philanthropic act, Larrazabal said: "Whatever is raised (out of this race), I'd like to double it." That elicited a warm round of applause from a good number of individuals who showed up in yesterday's news conference promoting the event at Yayoy's Grill and Restobar.

Larrazabal was joined by his beloved half Zeny and son Yong, who made sure that everything is in place with regards to their preparations.

"This race is open to people from all walks of life. This is a beautiful run for a cause. I hope the people of Cebu will help us help Guimaras," said Yong, who is targeting over 1,000 runners to participate in the contest.

Among the categories to be contested are the 6K and 10K for men's and women's open, executives, doctors and the 3K fun run for footracers aged 12 years old and below.

A bunch of Cebu's running stars are tipped to dominate the race in the likes of Joseph Penales, Adonis Singson, Mendell Lopez, Eugene Delposo and Riez Enriquez in the men's open and Leizl Lumindas-Getaruelas, Mary Rosa Arman, Dianne Pearl Beronia, Madelyn Carter and Merlita Arias in the distaff side.

Cash prizes, trophies and medals are at stake for the different winners and the rest of the top 10 finishers.

Special awards will be handed out for the participant with the most unique get-up, and for the liveliest, biggest and most colorful delegations.

The strong contender for the biggest delegation is Taiyo Yuden, which has signified its intent to field in at least 200 entries. Sportscity.com has pledged to tap over a hundred runners.

Exciting items will also be raffled off that include phone kits from Globe, shoes from Avia and computer printers from Lexmark.

Registration fee is pegged at P150 per athlete. Entry forms are available at the Cebu City Sports Commission (CCSC) and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC)-7 offices inside the Cebu City Sports Center and at the Lapu-Lapu City Hall. One may also log on to runforsight.net for further details.

The "Run for Guimaras" is also backed up by Club Ultima, Microsoft Philippines, Megatxts Phils., Nature's Spring, Globe Telecom, Avia, Pepsi Cola, Cebu Medical Supply, Equitable PCI Bank, Philusa, Allenaire, Ng Khai, Philbytes, Skycable, Fortune Travel, F & J de Jesus, Y101, Sillicon Valley and Yayoy's Grill.