It's all system's go for the "Get Up and Go Green 12K Run on October 24 at the Terraces in Ayala Center. Despite the staging of another race by a funeral parlor who offered bottom - rock entry fees, registration is doing fine. "We are targeting quality run-ners who will pay good money for a well-run event rather than quantity." said the orga-nizing United Architects of the Philippines (UAP) president Jay-R Decatoria "We are also giving out a beautiful singlet costing P150.00" added Decatoria. This early several running clubs have already registered including Guardo Runners, Ungo Runners, Aboitiz, and Cabinet Member Runners. Registration is now in full swing at the Runnr, Ayala Cen-ter, Casa Ilongga at Robinsons Place and PSC office at the Cebu City Sports Center.
Trapped
You can knock him down, step on his face, slander his name all over the place. Hey wait a minute, these are the lyrics of "Blue Suede Shoes." Yes folks I'm beginning to believe Rening Ylaya is a cat with nine lives, and just like the Elvis lyrics go, he has risen every time Rening has encountered even worse situations. He's been bulldozed, and hit with a kitchen sink but he's survived all these. Well seriously now, Rening has been in and out of the hospital this year. He had a severe asthma attack, diarrhea and assorted in-juries suffered at the track oval. Not too long ago Rening ran smack on a pile of hurdles left unattended by athletes. About three months ago, Rening was hit by a motorcycle in Colon St. and he wasn't even running. Again, Rening was hospitalized with a hip and butt injury, but he keeps on coming back like a bad toothache. Last week Rening was riding an elevator at the St. Vincent Hospital when suddenly it stopped at the third floor. Brownout! Hospital personnel were aware that Rening was inside the lift. They tried to talk to him to relax him and told him not to panic as the key was being located. Of course oxygen was getting lesser but the runner in Rening probably made him endure the ordeal. It was only after one hour that the elevator door was opened. A hospital staff had to climb at the elevator hatch and opened the door. Although Rening almost fainted, he recovered after a few minutes. Rening said the assurance of the staff especially Ramil Canaya brought some strength in him. Ramil kept on telling Rening "padung na ang porlon… este,, and yawi."
Route Familiarization
Several members of the Cebu Executive Runners Club who will be joining the grueling Cebu 50K Ultra Marathon set on November 27, will conduct a route familiariza-tion run on October 17. The CERC runners already registered are Dr. Abe Manlawe. Joven Villasor, Jun Remo, Steve Ferraren, Dr. Alex Junia, Cynthia Aranaiz, Dodong Su-larte, Joel Juarez, and Bro. Carlo Bacalla, a Bataan Death March Ultra Marathon veteran. Bro. Carlo however is a doubtful starter after undergoing a gall bladder operation re-cently. Also joining the group on the run from Mt. Manunggal to JY Square (30 kms) are Dr. Vic Verallo and Cerc prexy Jesse Taborada. We are also inviting other participants to join us, especially the 9-man Guardo Runners Club headed by Atan Guardo. Registration is now closed for Cebu participants after we hit a total of 170 overall.
No Cash Prizes
I was informed that few runners who already registered are complaining that the Ultra Marathon offers no cash prizes. Well, actually the two 104km Ultra Marathon held in Bataan and the 70km staged in Ilocos also did not give cash prizes. I'm still negotiat-ing for Gov. Gwen Garcia's sponsorship and if this materializes, then we could afford to give cash incentives. For those who want to back out because of the predicament earlier mentioned, feel free to inform us, we will refund your entry fees as there are dozens who are on the waiting list. Finishers will get a mini trophy or medal, t-shirt, certificate and of course bragging rights.