Sinulog marathon

There's no stopping Cebu's date with history when it embarks on its first full marathon after 17 long years. Yes folks, it's all systems go for the Cebu Sinulog Marathon that unfolds on Feb.18 in front of Fort San Pedro at the Plaza Independencia. Originally scheduled last January 14, the race had to be moved due to the likewise reset Asean Summit. The timing is also perfect since this year will be the tenth anniversary of the organizing Cebu Executive Runners Club now headed by Roel Militar. I'm doubly ecstatic since yours truly was the founding president of the club together with Dr. Vic Verallo, Dr. Abe Manlawe and the late Joe Abellanosa. We will try to improve what the last organizers failed to achieved. In that marathon that started at 9:30 AM (because the governor who was supposed to fire the starter's gun was still sleeping at 5:00 AM), only 16 of the 45 starters survived. The race was organized by an Australian Cop Geoffrey Little, who probably know little of organizing a marathon. Despite so many drawbacks, the club is bent on getting the race off the starting line, even coming up with a tag liner "there's only one first time".

Prizes

In the launching of the marathon last week at Scoop Forum at the Baseline Restaurant Forum hosted by Bro. Bobby "Knight" Inoferio, organizers revealed the perks. The club is not as big as Milo or Pasig who dangled big prizes. But at least the club is going out of its way to come up with a marathon. The champion in the men's division will receive P 15, 000.00, the second placer P 10,000.00 and the third placer P 5,000.00. The rest of the prizes are P 3,000.00 for fourth, P 2,000.00 for fifth, and 6th to 10th placers, P 500.00 each. In the distaff side, the champion brings home P 10,000.00 while the second and third placers pocket P 5,000.00 and P 3,000.00 respectively. The fourth placers will get P 2,500.00 while the fifth placer settles for P 1,500.00. The fourth to tenth placers will each receive P 500.00. All winners in both divisions will receive trophies and Timex watches while fourth to tenth placers will get medals. All finishers in the marathon that starts at 4:30 AM will receive medals, T-shirts and certificates. They will also receive a singlet before the start.

5k Fun Run

In response to the clamor of runners or joggers who have not trained for the marathon, a 5K fun will be held and will start and finish at the Capitol. The winners in the side event will not go home empty-handed. The champions in both male and female will each receive P 3,000.00, the second and third placers will pocket P 2,000.00 and P 1,000.00 respectively. Fourth to tenth placers will get medals. Registration is now on going at the PSC office at the Cebu City Sports Center Wow Travel at Elizabeth Mall and Casa Ilongga at the Robinsons Place at Fuente Osmeña.