Octogenarian seeks to conquer CCM for third consecutive time

CEBU, Philippines - He's been into motor racing his whole life until three years ago when he found a completely different challenge joining his first ever lung-busting race via the Cebu City Marathon.

It's no ordinary feat especially for a  long distance runner who will turn 80 years old on the week the keenly-awaited event takes place on January 13.

"I've been in motor racing my whole life but I found a different challenge in running," said Raul Rosales Cepeda, who looks forward to his third consecutive CCM stint with enthusiasm.

"Joining my first full marathon race through the CCM in 2011 was a challenge for me. I felt that I have some circumstances in my life that I have to be strong on my feet. I still have young children and I have to prepare them in life," said Cepeda, a decorated big biker turned running buff. "That is why I'm into running, to keep me strong."

Finishing a rigorous 42-kilometer route is truly a tedious task, but Cepeda endures it all using not only his endurance and stamina, but also his mental toughness.

"It's all about mental drive. You have to keep that drive going. I keep telling myself that I have to do it. I always instill that never-say-die spirit in me," he said.

Cepeda completed his past two marathons with a decent time of a little over six hours but he doesn't mind it.

"I don't think about the time because that would be an added pressure for me. What is important is to finish the race," said Cepeda. "But I would be very, very happy if I could finish it within six hours."

Meanwhile, it's all systems go for the biggest and grandest running event in this side of the archipelago spearheaded by the Cebu Executive Runners Club (CERC).

Aside from the elite Filipino runners, participants from 15 other nationalities are all set to plunge into action in this festival-type footrace that is now on its fourth year. They come from United States, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Canada, Japan, France, Chinese-Taipei, Hong Kong, Kenya, Saudi Arabia and Afghanistan.

As an added treat, the organizers will be giving away a beautifully-designed, puso (hanging rice)-inspired medal to all the 42K finishers.

On top of the festive athmosphere it offers, the CCM also dangles a huge cash bounty amounting to almost P400,000 for the top finishers.

The champion in the men and women's 42K will take home P60,000 each. The first placers in the 21K will pocket P20,000 apiece, while the top performers in the 5K will each receive P5,000. (FREEMAN)