New venue, new category P70T at stake in third edition of St. Ignatius Run

CEBU, Philippines - Close to P70,000 in cash prizes are available to the winners of the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu Alumni Association (SHSAAA)-organized 3rd St. Ignatius Run that will be staged for the first time at the Insular Square grounds in Brgy. Basak, Mandaue City on July 28.

The annual charity event was formally launched yesterday at the activity center of the newly-opened arcade, with SHSAAA president Edmun Liu, SHAABAA president Marcelino Co and Insular Square’s treasurer Wilky Lim gracing the affair.

Now on its third year, a longer and more challenging race is set featuring the 3K, 6K and 16K categories.

The 3K, however, is only for the SHS-Ateneo community including its staff, alumni, faculty and students.

For the first time, an alumni team race will be included. This is being done to encourage its graduates to take part in the noble undertaking.

Each team shall be composed of a minimum of three and a maximum of four runners. Four to run, three to count. All team members should finish together to make it count.

To ensure the safety of the runners since the race route covers mostly the main road, the organizers will tap at least 60 personnel from the Mandaue City Traffic Group to beef up the race marshals and the technical group.

The organizers are expecting to surpass the 1,500 entries last year even if it is not a compulsory run for the students.

Foreign runners especially the Kenyans are allowed to join, but only under the 16K division to give the locals a chance to take home prizes.

“I would like to challenge the Cebuano runners to beat the Kenyans. I believe in the Cebuanos' talent. We are no less than any race or culture,” Liu said.

Registration fee is pegged at P400 for the 16K and P350 for the 3K and 6K inclusive of a singlet and refreshments after the race. SHS-AdC students will get a P50 discount.

Entry forms are available at the Insular Square, SHS-AdC, Coffee Bean and at Dessert Factory. - THE FREEMAN