'Smile to the Finish Line' set Garcia, Rama to run together in charity event they call 'run for unity and liberation'

CEBU, Philippines - After the successful 2nd Cebu City Marathon, another big running event will be staged dubbed as “Smile to the Finish Line: A Charity Run for Operation Smile Cebu” on February 20 at the Asiatown I.T. Park in Brgy. Apas, this city.

On top of the competition, proceeds of the fund-raising activity spearheaded by Mariquita Salimbangon-Yeung Charitable Foundation (MSYCFI) will go to Operation Smile, which provides free reconstructive surgery to correct cleft lips, cleft palates, and other facial deformities to hundreds of children every year for the past 12 years. 

So far, the Operation Smile Cebu has helped almost 3,000 children and young adults.

“This is a very special marathon since you are assured that when you run, you will make someone’s future better and that one child’s future brighter,” said the benevolent Mariquita Salimbangon-Yeung during a press conference yesterday at San Pablo room of Radisson Blu Hotel.

To add glitz to the noble endeavor, Cebu City Mayor Michael L. Rama and Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia promised not only to give their full support but also to run together in the 5K division as a sign of unity.

“This race is one of a kind as this could also be a run for peace as the governor and mayor will run together. They will smile to the finish line,” added Salimbangon.

“I’m looking forward to participating in this race because this is an extraordinary run with a cause. A run that will highlight liberation,” said Rama.

Garcia echoed Rama's sentiment. “It’s already time that we will be liberated. We will be sending such a beautiful signal to the rest of the Cebuanos that liberation is here. As Cebuanos, we love the great, indivisible and undivided Cebu,” the lady governor said.

For his part, City Traffic and Operations Management (CITOM) chairman Sylvan "Jack" Jakosalem assured the organizers that they will implement the same security and traffic control as what they did during the Cebu City Marathon.

Race director Kenneth Casquejo of RunCheck said they are expecting to draw close to 5,000 entries that will see action in five categories:21K, 10K, 5K, 3K and 1.6K.

The champion in 21K will receive P25,000, a medal and a trophy, while the second and third will pocket P15,000 and P10,000, respectively.

The top three in the 10K division will get P5,000, P3,000 and P2,000, while the first three finishers in 5K will take home P3,500, P2,500 and P1,500.

Registration fee is pegged at P650 for 21K, P450 for 10K, P250 for 5K, 3K and 1.6K inclusive of a singlet, race number, route map and refreshments. Special fee is given to students as they will only pay P150.

Entry forms are available at the Cebu City Sports Center, Runnr in Ayala Active Zone and all branches of Thirsty and Moon Café. (FREEMAN)