34 finish 100-km run to remember Yolanda

CEBU, Philippines - Thirty-four Cebu ultra runners successfully reached Bogo City yesterday noon after finishing a 100-kilometer run from Cebu City.

Members of the Cebu Ultrarunners Club and other running groups conducted the “One Run Takbo ni Juan” to commemorate the first anniversary of the super typhoon Yolanda that battered the Eastern Visayas region and northern part of Cebu.

Tony Galon, founder and president of the Cebu Ultrarunners Club, said they offered the memorial ultra run to the victims and survivors of the storm.

He said the ultra-marathon is also intended to raise awareness on the effects of climate change and promote the planting of more trees in preparation for another storm. He clarified that they wanted to hold a peaceful commemoration.

 “We don’t care about political issues. We care more on the typhoon victims and raise awareness,” he said.

Galon said that they aimed to arrive in Bogo City 16 hours after they started the run. 50 runners assembled at the kilometer zero marker in front of the Capitol building.

They left the Capitol grounds and started their run towards northern Cebu at 6:34 p.m. Saturday and reached Bogo City at around 12 noon yesterday.

The group passed through Osmeña Boulevard before turning left at the Fuente Osmeña Circle for General Maxilom Avenue then headed towards Mabolo and crossed the boundary towards Mandaue City all the way to northern Cebu.

 Galon said some ultra runners ran only until Danao City since they still have to work. He added that they had two breaks during the 18-hour memorial run. They stopped for a break in Danao and Sogod.  The breaks were mainly intended to eat, drink and account the number of runners.

 “We have to count to check if wala ba na-missing pag-start namo ug kinsa’y napuno sa grupo,” he said

 He shared that there have been instances at night that runners were being pointed with a gun by lawless elements especially if being left behind in Danao. He advised the runners to be in groups so as to avoid such incidents.

 He further cited that they were challenged since the climate during the run was so hot. 

 “Nisakripisyo gyud ang mga runners sa kainit pero amo gyud gituyo para sa mga Yolanda survivors. Lisod tuod among gibuhat pero actually mga ultra runners na man mi. Anad na gyud mi pero karon grabe gyud kainit,” he said.

 Founded in 2011, the Cebu Ultrarunners Club is a group of 800 running enthusiasts who have gone beyond the regular marathon distance of 42.195 kilometers.  (FREEMAN)