Close to P40T at stake in Sinulog 21K Run

CEBU - It's all systems go for this year’s Mizuno-Asia Miles Sinulog Half-Marathon on January 17 at the Asiatown I.T. Park in Brgy. Lahug, this city.

Over a thousand runners from all over Cebu and a bunch of visiting footracers will be out to compete for supremacy in the 21-kilometer run.The less prepared or the fun runners will also get a feel of the event as a 5K category is set for them.

The champion in the 21K will take home P10,000, while the second to fifth will pocket P7,000, P5,000, P3,000 and P2,000, respectively. The sixth to 10th finishers will get a medal each.

The top two runners in the 21K, however, will have the option to claim their cash prizes or avail of the P20,000 worth of Asia Miles that had been committed by its presentor through Vicky Yue. The amount from Asia Miles can be converted into a round trip ticket from Cebu to Hong Kong.

A special prize will be awarded to the record-breakers in this Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association(PATAFA)-sanctioned event.

Defending champion Elmer Bartolo holds the record in the men's division with the time of one hour and 10 minutes, while the time to beat in the distaff side is one hour and 28 minutes owned by Leiszl Lumindas-Gitaruelas.

The top performers in the 5K will also receive cash prizes, with the first five placers getting P3,000, P2,000, P1,500, P1,000, and P500. They will also get a commemorative medal each.

Jesse Taborada, president of the organizing Cebu Executive Runners Club (CERC), assured of a better race this time compared to last year.

The success of the event will be the determining factor for a full marathon during the Sinulog next year.

Those who are interested to join the race have only until January 14 to register. The registration centers include Mizuno at SM City-North Wing, Philippine Sports Commission-VII officer at the Cebu City Sports Center, Holiday Gym & Spa, and Sug-angan Restaurant along J. Llorente Street. (THE FREEMAN)