On valentine's days "Run With A Smile" set

CEBU, Philippines - After the gruelling full-marathon race two weeks ago, the Cebu runners go back to the short course with the staging of the “Run With A Smile” on February 14 starting and ending at The Terraces grounds of Ayala Center Cebu.

Held as part of the Dental Awareness Month celebration, over 1,000 fitness buffs are expected to see action in the event that features three categories, 3K, 5K and 10K.

The organizing Cebu Dental Society under the Philippine Dental Asssociation-Cebu Chapter together with the Larrazabal Eye and the Philippine Heart Association are expecting participants from local dentists as well as students from Cebu Doctors’ University, Southwestern University and the University of the Visayas.

“We dentists likes to serve well our patients in our clinic so we also have to be physically fit and so we are doing running to promote healthy lifestyle,” said Dr. Christine Carvajal during a news conference yesterday at Casino Español de Cebu.

Seeing the huge turnout of entries in the 5K division during the Cebu City Marathon last January 10, the organizers decided to make it an open competition from the 10K down to the 3K class.

If a highly-competitive runner opts to take part in the 5K or 3K, he or she is allowed to join.

However, only the top performers in the 10K will be given cash prizes as the 5K and 3K are intended to be just a fun run.

Since the race falls on Valentine’s Day, special prizes will be handed out to the couple with the best finish.

Dr. Yong Larrazabal, one of the primovers of the event alongside Peter Mancao, Clementino Diez, Christine Carvajal and Rodivick Ducor, said he and his wife Donna will be running together, making them the couple to beat.

The biggest delegation, best in costume the oldest and youngest participants will also receive special awards.

Registration fee is pegged at P250 for regular runners and P150 for the students. Entry forms are available at Green Apple Dental Clinic at Ayala Center, CitiDent in SM, Center For Sight at CDU.

Proceeds will go to the PDS free dental program in remote areas of the city as well as in other areas of Cebu Province.

A dental van will be set up during the race day where the first 50 finishers can avail of a free prophylaxis, a dental procedure of removing plaques and cleaning the teeth to prevent gum diseases and cavities. - THE FREEMAN