Aboitiz Race

No. doubt about it, Aboitiz corporations are known as environment - friendly, that could be one reason why the budget for the Aboitiz Race 2 Reduce Challenge is huge. However, Aboitiz is not blinking. It is doing everything to make this world a better place to live in even as the half-marathon is dubbed "a race for the next generation". Reputation officer Basti Lacson a sportsman himself who swam the Gilbaltar Strait and has ran the Barcelona Marathon, said they are trying to make the race, world class. For instance we are using a recyclable material made by Du Pont for our race numbers that costs P 25.00. It's the same material used by the New York City Marathon. Ivee Cabahug of Metrografix, who is supplying the bibs and sponsoring the arc, streamers and posters said, even the ink used is low on chemicals. Papers cups will be used instead of plastic while streamers (taprs) will be recycled. This is true to Aboitiz' drive to reduce consumption of energy, water and paper while the bigger aim is to reduce carbon emissions within the group of companies. The run is an awareness program that is also geared to reduce a person's weight. Basti also said just like in international races, the Aboitiz run will use electronic timing chips with every finisher's name published in a local daily the following day. Not only that, a tree will be planted under the runner's name during the company's tree-planting activity in October. "Kulang pa ba?." Furthermore, 20 masseurs will be waiting at the finish line to work on the tired runners, sorry guys, no lingam here. Binalot breakfast will also be available while a Gatorade sports drink will be given to each finisher. Prizes?, the champions in the 21K category will receive P 10,000.00 while those winning in 10K go home richer by P 5,000.00. The 5K titlists will receive P 3,000.00. And oh yes, runners will get a beautiful sublimated singlet costing P 155.00.

A Manila runner asked me why the entry fees for the 21K and 10K events are cheaper than Manila which charges P 700 to P 800 if a timing chip is used. Well, that's because it's subsidized. Race chairperson Jovy Tan said registration is now in full swing at Columbia Sportswear at SM Northwing, Casa Ilongga at Robinsons Place, PSC Office, Cebu City Sports Center and at the Runnr at Ayala Center. As I write this column some 500 runners have already registered.

Cebu Ultra Marathon

When, Jonel Mendoza of Frontrunner Magazine asked me if I could direct the first-ever Cebu 50K Ultramarathon that will start at Mt. Manunggal and end at the Cebu Provincial Capitol, I initially begged off. But when Jonel threatened to kidnap my dog and cut off my leg, I agreed. Jonel is a hardcore runner who completed the 102-kilometer, lung - busting Bataan Death March Ultra Marathon last May and is really bent on bringing the event here. Iron lady Haide Acuña has already started mapping the route that will give runners a majestic view of Cebu from the mountains. I also asked the assistance of veteran mountaineers, Dr. Abe Manlawe (co-founder of the CERC) and Jon Consunji. Keep tuned for more details and start training.

One Money

My technical director Precing Capangpangan gave me a call regarding the many complaints from runners who joined a race last Sunday. I don't want to comment yet until I get the real score, but I was informed the mess triggered by chaotic results, ended to a "sabot-sabot" among organizers and runners in blatant violations of road running rules, I was told the top runners settled for "one money". For example instead of the champion getting the bigger purse, the top three equally shared the amount for the same number of finishers. I'll report on this as soon as I get the facts and recommend actions. "One-money" is tantamount to cheating.