It’s all systems go for the Great Lapu-Lapu Run 2 on April 18 at the Liberty Shrine, Mactan. All indications point to an exciting race ahead and the perks after the run. While only full marathon runners experienced the use of timing chips in the Cebu City Marathon, 21K and 10K participants will likewise be entitled to the innovation. Of course the timing chips will give us faster and accurate results, just be sure you lace it on your shoes not put it in your belt bags or pockets. Also make sure you step on the mat or else you will have no time. After the Pinay in Action Run at the Asiatown IT Park last Sunday, perennial winner Kenyan Simon Losiaboi said he’s been told several Kenyans from Manila are coming. This could spell trouble for Simon worse, if Vertek Buenavista, the country’s record holder gets the go signal from Go Teng Kok of Patafa. As I write this column, I’m trying to contact Go Teng to ask his approval of Vertek’s intention to run here. Well if that happens then it’s really bad news for Simon. Not only that, while Simon races every week, Cebu’s top bet Mendel Lopez is resting and concentrating on his long runs. Mendel scored back-to-back wins against Simon in two mountain races. Of course there’s no stopping Mary Grace Delos Santos in the distaff side, unless nemesis Aileen Tolentino shows up. And if plans don’t miscarry, one-legged triathlete Rudy Fernandez will run in the 5K category. Rudy will be arriving to join the following Sunday’s National Age Group Triathlon in Plantation Bay. While my co-race director Noy Jopson goes for the crown, I will pace Rudy in the run leg as usual. As of that writing (Sunday) the GLLR has already drawn over 1,000 runners with another thousand from the Navy, Coast Guard and Air Force expected to submit their entries today. Registration is now reaching fever-pitch with the deadline scheduled on Wednesday. Runners may start claiming their race packets starting on April 15 at the Active Zone (near Persian Palate) Ayala Center during mall hours. To accommodate more runners we will have a registration booth at the same place also starting today. Registration will still be accepted at Casa Ilongga Robinsons Place, Columbia Sportswear at SM City, PSC Office at the Cebu City Sports Center and at the Tourism Office in Lapu-Lapu City Hall. Two buses will be stationed at the Bank of Commerce Fuente Osmeña to ferry the runners to Lapu-Lapu City at 3:30 a.m. The GLLR chair Hembler Mendoza is advising runners to be at Mactan by 4:00 am., to avoid traffic.
PIA 10K
Congratulations to first-time organizers Annie Neric and Ken Casquejo for the successful staging of the PIA Run last Sunday. Of course one need not ask who won. Simon Losiaboi and Mary Grace Delos Santos, who else? Annie and Ken are looking forward to their next race the Fair-Trade Run in SM city in May. I don’t know if I’m back by then, I’ve been invited in the Mall of Asia for the “Philippine Star Fund-Raising Adopt a School Run” on May 15. The Freeman’s Boy Mendoza said Angie Isidro wants me to run as Elvis and join other celebrities. Angie “naghirit pa”. She asked if Elvis could sing during the awarding ceremonies. You mean “Blue Suede Shoes?” (FREEMAN NEWS)