Cebu City Marathon

It’s just a few winks before the third staging of the Cebu City Marathon that blasts off on Sunday (January 8). Despite the mush-rooming running events, the CCM is still drawing a pretty good field especially in the full marathon which drew a record 1,300 runners. John Pages said however that the bulk of these would be marathoners are “newbies” or those attempting to finish their first marathon. We are therefore fielding more marshals and medical teams to ensure the safety of these runners. As I’m the next senior member of the club (CERC) next to the 66 year-old Dr. Abe Manlawe who recently finished a 104-Kilometer ultramarathon and coach to Olympians Herman Suizo and Roy Vence, I’m advising the rookies to listen to their bodies and don’t force themselves. There are a lot of marathons happening in the country.   Remember the saying “He who fights and run away, gets to fight another day”. There’s always next year to look forward to “Comprende?”. As another precaution Dr. Rosan Trani advised that runners write phone numbers of persons to contact in case of emergency at the back of their race bibs. In international races, runner info like allergies are a must and these are listed at the back portion of the race numbers. Elite runners (especially in the female division) that runs with pacers (with no bibs) will be disqualified. Race packets will be distributed starting January 4 until the 6th at the Active Zone in the Ayala Center. Carbo loading will be on January 6 at The Terraces. So If you’re ready, better get on your feet and feel the beat. “Hala Bira!”.

Elvis At See

True to my promise to slow down in organizing races and doing more Elvis gigs this year. I’m starting the New Year with Elvis appearing on Sam Costanilla’s Sam Enchanted Evening (see) the last week of January. Actually Elvis is no stranger in Sam’s show having guested there some 3 years ago. Sam has been hounding me to appear in his show again but as I said organizing running events has taken a lot of my time last year. I’m truly excited to be back at SEE. I even told Sam I’ll be performing with a brand new red jumpsuit. We are also looking forward to finally stage an Elvis concert in August for the King’s death anniversary. By the way I was supposed to join Ramon Jacinto and six other Elvis impersonators on January 8 (Elvis’ birthday) at the Bistro Rj in Manila but I begged off since I’m assisting the CCM.