3rd SM 2 SM run: Bigger cash prizes at stake

CEBU, Philippines - Bigger cash prizes are up for grabs in the third edition of the SM Prime Holdings-organized SM2SM Run slated on February 24 at the SM City-Cebu.

“From P30,000, the 3rd SM2SM Run now offers P50,000 for the champion in the 21K division, making this the biggest run in this side of the country,” said SM Prime Holdings Vice President Marissa Fernan during the event’s launching at Radisson Blu Hotel the other day.

The second and third placers will take home P30,000 and P20,000, respectively, while fourth to 10th finishers will each receive P1,000 worth of gift certificate from SM and other sponsors.

The top 3 runners in the 12K category will pocket P10,000, P7,000 and P5,000, while the rest of the top 10 cast will get P1,000 worth of gift certificate.

The 6K battle dangles P5,000, P3,000, and P2,000 for the top three, while the 3K is purely a fun run.

From a Valentine’s Day offering, the next edition will now be a post-Valentine activity held in conjunction with Cebu City's Charter Day celebration.

Being a post-Valentine event, there will be a couples race for the 12K and 21K, with the top performers  enjoying an overnight stay for two with breakfast at Radisson Blu Hotel, lunch or dinner buffet at Feria and P3,000 worth of gift certificates.

Meanwhile, the participants especially in the premiere division will be dealing with a minor change in the route as they will now pass by San Pedro Calungsod’s chapel inside SM properties at SRP before proceeding to Talisay’s fist port for the turnaround going back to SM City Cebu.

Registration fee is pegged at P750 for the 21K, P450 for the 12K, and P350 for the 3K and 6K.

One may register online through SM City-Cebu’s official Facebook account and just pay at the event’s booth located at SM City Northwing. One may also call 032-232-0296 for other inquiries.

Aside from the introduction of the timing chip, the increase of entry fee will be for a good cause.

A new beneficiary had been added by the organizers as aside from the Cebu City Task Force on Street children, it will now include the Cebu Newspaper Workers Foundation (CENEWOF).

Dr. Pureza Onate, president of CENEWOF, said including them as beneficiary is so timely as the Marcelo Fernan Press Center needs renovation, while the rest will go to the Cebu Media Assistance Fund (CEMAF).

“We need a lot help. We need at least a million pesos for the renovation project of the Marcelo Fernan Press Center and our CEMAF funds will not last without help,” said Dr.Onate.

With this, councilor Margot Osmeña, who chairs the Cebu City Task Force on Street Children, encourages fellow Cebuanos and the rest to join and support this worthy endeavor not only for the benefit of the streetchildren but also for members of the media who are in need. (FREEMAN)