If you think running events in September were pandemic proportions, think again. We had eight races last month, some happening on the same day. I’ve been stressing that if this phenomenon doesn’t stop the runners will either get burn out or injured. Some runners have started to just pick up the races to join, so if you noticed lately participants have dwindled. Running events however continue to mushroom. The Pink October Run was held last Sunday at the Terraces in the Ayala Center Cebu. Next week there will be 2 races, the Holiday Gym & Spa Run to the Max 10- Miler (16 km) and the Cong. Gullas Run in Talisay City. Also on the same day, the Milo Marathon Finals blasts off in Manila. Several runners including yours truly will be off to the Big City on Oct 18 to see action in the Quezon City International Marathon. Back here in Cebu, the Sight First Foundation will stage a fund-raising race for flood victims in Luzon dubbed “Run for Ondoy”. November is even worst, Rock n’ Run 1/4 Marathon part II will unfold in the Cebu Business Park. The following week, the Cebu Lakandula Lions Club will hold the Roar to grow 10K run also at the Terraces, while in Manila, the Pasig Marathon, will take place. Inspired by the success of the first staging, the 2nd Running MAD for Wellness II takes off from the UP grounds in Lahug. Then the following week, two more races are scheduled, both on the 29th, the Travel Agencies Run and the Seminary Fund Run – kulang pa? Well, here’s more – Dec 13 the 8th Cebu Midnight run at the City Sports Club Cebu which will have a new innovation, runners are encouraged to run in costumes. I’m almost giving up trying to control these runs I’ll just wait for the runners who will run in all these races to drop, but not dead I hope.
EXODUS
As I mentioned a big number of marathoners will be running outside of Cebu this month. Mendel Lopez, Madelyn Carter and CERC’s Harthy Satina will run in the Milo Marathon together with Mindanao qualifiers Elmer Bartolo and Mary Grace delos Santos. Other CERC members joining are prexy Jess Taborada, Dodong Sulatre, Steve Ferraren, John Pages, Bro Carlo Bacalla, Joel Juarez, Annie Neric and Haide Acuña. The Guardo brothers will be in full force, Atan, Jerry and Jeson accompanied by Joel Garganera, Ian Baguio and Alan Delantar. I tried to beg off due to lack of training but Joel said “may ticket ka na and you could just run the 21K.” On the other hand, some CERC members will run in the Amsterdam Marathon and this includes Dr. Vic Verallo. Jacs Jacalan, Millette and Frederick Chiongbian, Jane, Veronica and Andrew Ong and Pearl Jacalan, Dr. Peter Mancao will run in the Long Beach Marathon in California also on the 18th. Good luck to all of us!
Run To The Max II
Registration to the Holiday Gym & Spa Run to the Max II is now in full swing at the PSC office at the Cebu City Sports Commission, Holiday Gym & Spa in Banilad and at Casa Ilongga Robinsons. Runners will have until Thursday to register. Some proceeds of the run will also go to the victims of Typhoon Ondoy. Also opening its entry books tomorrow is the Cebu Lakandula Lions Club Roar to Grow 10K Run at the PSC office, Casa Ilongga and Yayoy’s Grill.
Rening
If you see Rening Ylaya tomorrow, don’t think he tangled with Manny Pacquiao. Rening is sporting cuts and bruises on his face and knees while his shoulder is fractured. Last Tuesday, Rening slammed on track hurdles which were left behind by high school athletes. Rening is lucky he has benefactors like Frederick Ong who shouldered his hospital expenses. Cebu City Sports Center’s Ricky Ballesteros has already warned the culprits.
Milestone
Birthday greetings to Atan Guardo, who’s turning another year older tomorrow. At 30, Atan sure looks fit to finish his second marathon on October 18. Atan also told me he is sending a plane ticket to Elvis in his Memphis grave so he could perform on his birthday party which has been moved to next month. (FREEMAN NEWS)