2nd Great Lapu-Lapu Run this am

CEBU, Philippines - Over 5,000 runners will hit the road early morning today for the 2nd Great Lapu-Lapu Run starting and ending at the historic Liberty Shrine in Mactan Island.

Learning valuable lessons from the event’s inaugural staging, the organizers promised of a bigger, better and more exciting 2010 edition of the annual event.

Also, it’s going to be a high-tech race with bigger cash prizes and extra incentives at stake for the winners.

Among the stars to watch out for in the men’s category include Cebu-based Kenyan missionary Simon Losiaboi, Mendel Lopez, Ben Alejandrino, Eric Panique and the Sabal brothers Elmer and Cris.

In the distaff side, it’s going to be a four-cornered battle among Mary Grace de los Santos, Madelyn Carter, Maricel Maquilan, Aileen Tolentino and Miscelle Gilbuena.

Except for the entries in the 3K fun run and 5K, participants in the premiere 21-kilometer and 10K categories will be using a microchip, a customized timing devise that was similarly used during the highly-successful Cebu Marathon last January.

The first Filipino finisher in both male and female divisions under the 21K action will enjoy a free trip to the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon courtesy of Cebu Pacific, while organizing Lapu-Lapu Sports and Events Bureau, Inc. will provide them accommodation and entry fee for the said event.

These perks will surely be an added challenge for the Pinoy runners to perform well in the race. Also, it is Lapu-Lapu City ’s way of helping out mold Pinoy world-class runners.

Over P240,000 in cash prizes are up for grabs for the top performers of the event, which is among the highlights of the “Kadaugan sa Mactan” - an annual activity commemorating Datu Lapu-Lapu’s sweeping success in warding off the Spanish invaders led by Ferdinand Magellan centuries ago.

Runners will surely be taken cared of since there will be Gatorade station, an egg station and a sufficient water station. There will be also free food for the participants plus free massage for the runners after the race.