The United Architects of the Philippines Cebu Chapter launched the Get-Up and Go Green 12K Run set on October 24 at the Terraces in Ayala, the other day at City Sports Club Cebu. Club president Jay-R Decatoria said the run is somewhat different from the usual distances at it will have the 12K, 6K and 4K. Pretty Raya Espinosa added that the race is expected to draw over 1,000 runners with the champions in the 12K for both male in female, receiving P6,000, the second placers P4,000 and the third placers P2,000. Fourth to tenth placers are each assured of P300. In the 6K division, the first placers pocket P3,000, the runner-up P2,000 and the third placers P1,000. Fourth to tenth go home richer by P200. A according to "Big Al" Chuachoy this is the first run organized by the UAP nationwide. Registration is now ongoing at the Runner in Ayala Center. Adidas at SM City, Casa Ilongga at Robinsons Place and PSC Office at the Cebu City Sports Center.
Mayon Volcano
I took a quick trip to Legaspi City to have a break from the never-ending running events in Cebu. Actually it was same sort of a vacation that turned out to be also work. However watching Mayon Volcano from our hotel room or even tracing history by going to the Cagsawa ruins or what remained of a village after Mt. Mayon buried the entire place in the 1800s, was a relief. I also had the luxury of running in a smog-free environment with the city streets almost deserted on a Sunday morning. After visiting the tourism office, I was invited to organize another Mayon trail run in the summer. I had the chance of going around Legaspi City's newest mall, the Embarcadero, which is also planning to hold a run. Camsur was just two hours away but the marathon is still on September 26, I also missed Naga City's biggest event, the 300th celebration of Our Lady of Peñafrancia due to time limit. Anyway, I'm definitely going back to Bicol soon and probably spend longer days there.
London Paralympics
One legged triathlete Rudy Fernandez woke me up at 3:00 am the other day to inform me that he's being considered for the national team to the London Paralympics in 2012. I wanted to curse him as I really needed some rest, but when he said he has asked the PSC to bring me along as his coach, "nawala akong katugon". Well, that's really great news. We are now submitting Rudy's records in athletics and swimming for evaluation. I'm sure my "barkada" from Bacolod Richie Garcia, who is now PSC chair, will be of great help.
Press Freedom Run
It will be the turn of the members of the press to strut their wares when the Press Freedom Run blasts off on September 25 at the City Sports Club Cebu. The run which is exclusively for the media and only the first 200 participants are assured of singlets. As I write this column we have already 120 runners with Sunstar and The Freeman ac-counting for 100.Defending champions John Pages and Haide Acuña will not be around to defend their crowns. John will undergo surgery for a bad shoulder while Haide will be off to the Camsur Marathon. Registration will still be accepted until Wednesday or after we fill the 200 slots. Sponsoring the run is Coca Cola while the venue will be pro-vided by City Sports Club and Cebu Business Park Association, Inc. through Clement del Rosario and Dondon Trasmil.
Cebu Ultra Marathon
In response to the clamor of many runners struggling to get into the Cebu Ultra Marathon on November 27, we increased the slots, but just disappeared in no time. Ma-nila and the rest of the Philippines have now a total of 90 while Cebu has 65. We wanted to increase it to 200 from the original 100, but I feel it would be best if we stop at 160. Already confirming their sponsorship are Rudy Project and Metrografix. We are still awaiting the assistance to Gov. Gwen Garcia and Mayor Ace Binghay of Balamban. By the way, speaking of Balamban, the 1st West Cebu Industrial Park Fiesta Run fires off on September 26 at the Balamban oval.