STAA move with air run

Governor Gwen Garcia, Haide Acuña, Caecent Magsumbol, Millete Chiongbian, Perl Jacalan, Jasmin Pages, Iste Leopoldo, Janice Ursal and former triathlete Amale Jopson are just some of the over a thousand excited people. Excited for what? Well if you haven’t heard yet, the St. Theresa’s Alumnae Association (STAA) will stage the first-ever 5-kilometer run on July 19, dubbed the STAA Move With Air Run. Right after the Holiday Gym and Spa Run to the Max last October, former national triathlon record holder Nonoy Japson informed me that the STAA is planning a road race during their Jubilee Celebration in July (2009). After a series of meetings with the STAA board headed by president Yvonne Gomos. Christine Kintanar and run coordinator Iris Polotan, we finally agreed to hold a 5K and 3K run with a kiddies run also to be staged at the college campus. Iris explained that AIR means A-awareness, I-involvement, and R-responsibility. Will the run be exclusively for females? Well guys, No need to wear wigs and feel like Rustom este… Bebe Gandanghari. The race will have an open (Male / Female) categories. Did you know mayor Tom is an alumnus of STC? Cash prizes, trophies and medals will be up for grabs in the race expected to draw over 2,000 runners. For more details please contact Iris Polotan at cell No. 09285041234.

Running Clinics

Haide Acuña who’s now really into serious training suggested that to encourage beginners, it’s a good idea to hold running clinics. Actually running clinics are not new. During the running boom of the late 70’s we had several including the Johnson and Johnson, Magnolia and the Runnex. Haide who’s training her sights on either Singapore or Hong Kong marathon, said the clinic is important so beginners could learn the basics, such as foot strike, arm swing, nutrition and running gears. Even before Haide suggested the idea, the Cebu Executive Runners Club (CERC) already scheduled a clinic with the participants “graduating” during the Cebu Marathon in January next year, Ayala’s Joy Polloso even offered the Cebu Business Park as venue which I believe is ideal. On one occasion, I remember a runner who collapsed during the intermediate run, Gringo Honasan.

Merry Running Month

Looks like May will be a merry running month. As announced earlier the Personnel Management Association of the Philippines Earth Run 2009 fires off on May 10 at the Cebu Provincial Capitol. Then on May 31, thus much awaited return of the Arthro Cebu Mountain Trail Run blasts off at Kalunasan. The Mandaue Runners also announced that they will be staging the Mandaue Mayors Cup on May 5. However it is still to be confirmed. Well, May is indeed a busy merry running month for runners.

Drugs

Besides watching “Ben Hur” and “The Robe” during the Holy Week, it was also an opportunity to arrange and listen to my collection of CDs. In between, I was able to browse on several books, one of which is “Rock and Roll Babylon”. The book details the death of rock and roll’s greatest legends including Elvis Presley, Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison (Doors), Keith Moon, Bob Marley, Janis Joplin, Kurt Cobain (Nirvana) Chuck Berry and Andy Gibb. Well, all these guys died of drug overdose. I’ll write more on these next column.