December 14, 2007 | 12:00am
After the successful staging of the Cebu Sinulog Marathon last February, the Cebu Executive Runners Club, organizers of the run, will hold the Cebu Half-Marathon on Jan. 19 next year. Actually we wanted another 42K full marathon but the schedule of the other races will surely affect the would-be participants. The Subic Marathon fires off on January 20 while the Pasig Marathon blasts off end of February. Of course it’s a boo-boo to join two full marathons in two months unless you’re suicidal. A half-marathon is thus ideal. Runners intending to run in Pasig could make the Cebu race a final tune up or long run. It was then agreed by the club headed this year by Jessie Taborada to just stage a half-marathon. Preparations are now in full swing with Pilipinas Shell already confirming its sponsorship. Our marketing drive was boosted recently with the assistance of Merrick and Pearl Jacalan, who are also new members of the CERC.
PRIZES
Attractive cash prizes have been dangled to make the event national in scope with several running clubs from Iloilo, Bacolod, Davao, Cagayan de Oro and Manila already confirming their participation. The champion in the men’s division will receive P 20,000.00, the second placer P 12,000.00 and the third placer P 8,000.00. Fourth placer will go home richer by P 5,000.00 while the fifth placer gets P 3,000.00. Sixth to tenth placers will each receive P 1,000.00. In the distaff side, the champion is assured of P15,000.00, the second placer P 10,000.00 and the third placer P 5,000.00. Fourth place is good for P 3,000.00 with the fifth placer pocketing P 2,000.00. Sixth to tenth placers will likewise receive P1,000.00 each. A 5 kilometer side event will also be held with the top 3 winners in both male and female divisions receiving P 3,000.00, P 2,000.00 and P 1,000.00 respectively. Already confirming their participation is the Silay Runners Club under Dr. Roberto Ledesma who will be fielding 15 runners. Also competing are the Iloilo Oval Runners and Roxas City Runners. Also expected to join is former national marathon record holder and Olympian Herman Suizo who is on the comeback trail. For inquiries please contact Jessie Taborada at 254-1896 or mobile phone 09175251259.
CERC GOES INTERNATIONAL
After running in almost all the streets in the country, the Cebu Executive Runners Club will be trying in new environment. One of the fastest executive runners Steve Ferraren is already registered in the 2008 Los Angeles Marathon on March 4. Set to invade the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon in February are Dr. Vic Verallo, Jessie Taborada, Sergs Amora, John Pages and Merrick and Pearl Jacalan. If I don’t leave for Houston, Texas I will be joining the group together with Dr. Renald Ramiro. We will be running in the half-marathon while the rest tackle the full marathon.
CONDOLENCE AND CONGRATULATIONS
We would like to extend our condolence to Dr. Renald Ramiro for the loss of his father. Dr. Ren’s dad died a few days after the M.O.V.E. 5K Run, a race Ren and I organized for persons with disabilities (PWDS). What if Ren’s dad died when we were in the height of preparations for the race? Well God really MOVES in mysterious ways. On the other hand, congratulations to Leszl Getaruelas for winning her 15th crown last Saturday after she ruled the SWU 10K Run. “Wa na bay ka pilde ni Leszl?” When you read this column I’m probably on my way to Puerto Princesa in Palawan to rendezvous with my siblings from abroad. As usual it will be business and pleasure. I will be coordinating with my former teammate in the Nike Running Team, Ernie Ledesma (now with Puerto’s Sports Dept.) to prepare for the Baragatan Run next year. For that much-needed rest we will be at the Dos Palmas Resort. “Wa na bay Abu Sayaff didto?, tingali makidnap mi dili mahinayon ang Cebu Half Marathon.”
