Bring it on 2019

Time really flies! In just a few days it will be a new year again. It was just a year ago that you have promised to change for 2018. Now that your season is coming to an end, it is time to do what you have set out to do a year ago again. I may sound like a broken record repeating and repeating what needs to be done to have a better 2019. Here are some events to look up for 2019 that one can sign up in order to give you the much-need motivation to get you going this New Year.

JANUARY 1: Fun Ride. A tradition headed by Sanjay Saroopdas, Doc Marivic Tan, Fritz Co, Zusette Co, and yours truly. Meet up will be at Banilad Town Center at 5:30am and roll up at  6 am. Phase 1 of the route will be an easy City tour. The group will head down to Ayala Center Cebu to the iconic Fuente Circle going to Capitol then all the way up to the Monterezas in Guadalupe. Phase 2 will be from Guadalupe down to Natalio Bacalso Avenue via V. Rama then turn right at General Maxilom Avenue then turn left at Sergio Osmeña Boulevard then turn right after the international port all the way to Mandani Bay. From there, the group will follow the new bike route of the recent 70.3 Ironman going up the old bridge all the way to Marigondon then to Mactan Newtown. The group will then go back to the new bridge all the way back to BTC via A.S Fortuna Street in Mandaue City. To those who feel the route is not enough may opt to go up to Willy's after the final stop at BTC. This fun ride is open to all mountain bike, Fat bike, road bike, folding bike, fixie and aero bike enthusiasts. Everyone has to bring their own provision for nutrition and hydration. No helmet, no ride. This is not a race so ride at your own risk.

JANUARY 8:Coach A Metabolic Fitness Boot Camp: Get fitter, stronger and healthier! Start your 2019 on the right track. Join the 11th season of the Coach A Mini Boot Camp at Robinsons Galleria Cebu. You may register at Missing Link Cycling at the third level of Robinsons Galleria. Registration fee is at P 3,000 for 10 weeks. Early bird registration is P2,500 until December 31. The Boot camp is scheduled on Tuesdays and Thursdays (6:00-7:30pm) from Jan 8 to February 7 for Phase 1 and from Feb. 19 to March 21 for Phase 2. There is no Saturday schedule. For more information, one may call 406-9267 or 0922-8265168. First 5 to register will get a limited edition visor! Please also check out www.alanchoachuy.com or www.facebook.com/metafitcebu

JANUARY 13: The Cebu City Marathon organized by the Cebu Executive Runners Club (CERC) at the Cebu Business Park. The biggest footrace in the Queen City of the South features the 5K, 21K and 42K categories.The discounted fees are applicable only in the 42K at P1,800 and in the 21K at P1, 400. The regular entry fee is pegged at P750 for 5K, P1,800 for 21K and P2,100 for 42K.

Outgoing CERC president Kenneth Casquejo said they are targeting to surpass last year’s record mark of 5,000 participants coming from 26 countries all over the world. Race kit claiming is scheduled on January 9-12 from 10am to 9pm at the Active Zone of Ayala Center Cebu. Although the registration is officially closed for the CCCM 2019, there are some participants who are selling the race bib online or one can join the festivity by cheering on the streets and help motivate runners.

FEBRUARY 17:The SM 2 SM Run 9 at SM City Cebu. Run categories and respective gun start times are as follows:21K- P950 (4am),12K- P750 (4:30am), 8K- P650 (5am), 4K- P550 (5:30am)

MARCH 3:The Consolacion Mountain Bike Duathlon 3.0. The race will follow the same format starting with a 5km run, followed by a grueling 20km bike, and finishing with a 3km run. There will be at least 18 race categories comprised of Junior 18 & below, 19-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40- 44, 45-49, 50-59 & 60 above, Open/Elite Category for male and Open Category only for female participants. The new categories include relay all-male, all-female and mixed category. Special categories include Fat bike, and E-Bike. The newest category is the Ganador ‘Pamugasay’ category. Aside from the registration fee, one has to put up a P500 pot money. A 3-day Expo will be held at SM City Consolacion while the first 200 participants will get a limited edition bike jersey. All finishers will still get a medal, finisher's shirt and meal. Registration details will be announced soon.

MARCH 9:The All-Women Ultra Marathon. The 50km ultra race exclusive for women will be held in celebration of the International Women's Month. The AWUM is an endurance race which is held each year in Cebu. As of 2013, it is the only ultra marathon which is designed especially for women.  The race is organized by the Thinktank ultra marathoners group. The aid stations at the race are sponsored and operated by volunteers from several running clubs in the area. The first AWUM was held on March 10, 2012 and was organized by the Ungo Runners and the Cebu Ultramarathoners Club.

These are just the few events you can sign up for 2019 but you can’t stop after March. Fitness is a lifetime commitment. Continue your journey and make your 2019 fitter, stronger and healthier version of yourself.