Iloilo is moving

In previous columns, I lamented the running drought in Iloilo, having only two or three races the entire year. I was even thinking of giving up on my drive to revive running in this Western Visayan City. But during my last trip to Iloilo to launch the MOVE 10K Run there on July 18, it looked like I spoke too soon. Yes, Iloilo has finally snapped out from its slumber and has joined the running fever. Well it has reasons to, former national marathon record holder and Barcelona Olympian Herman Suizo, three-time Milo Marathon champion and Boston Marathon veteran, Jimmy Dela Torre, one-legged triathlete Rudy Fernandez and Sea Games gold medalists Rene Herrera, John Lozada, Sean Guevara and Ernie Candelario, all came from Iloilo. Last Independence Day, a run was held that drew over 1,000 runners and on September 26, the Milo Marathon elimination leg will be staged at the Freedom Grandstand. There’s also the newest jogging area called the Efrain Treñas Blvd. a 1.1 kilometer stretch closed to traffic and is located alongside the Iloilo River.

MOVE 10K RUN

Before the Milo Marathon, Ilonggo runners are looking forward to the MOVE 10K on July 18. Unlike Cebu and Bacolod that only offered the 5K distance, Iloilo will have a 10K category. Of course, the brain behind the race is Doc Renald Ramiro who initiated the circuit in 2007 to create funds for persons with disabilities (PWDs). The Iloilo leg is chaired by Dr. Joe Soriano, Dr. Minda Cabrera and Dr. Adrilee Gicos who are all excited and fired up. The champions in the 10K division for both male and female will receive P4,000.00, the second placers P3,000.00 and third placers P2,000.00 with the fourth and fifth getting P500.00 each. In the 5K category, the winners go home richer by P2,500.00, the second placers P1,500.00 and the third placers P1,000.00. Fourth to fifth placers will pocket P300.00 each. Oh yes, we will also have a wheelchair category with 20 participants already confirmed. Winners in this division will receive P2,500.00 the runner-up P1,500.00 and the third placer P1,000.00. Also expected to join are runners coming from Antique, Capiz and Bacolod City. As I mentioned earlier, I’m now concentrating on organizing runs in areas where the sport has to be revived or developed. Vice Mayor-elect Joe Espinosa and sports coordinator Jojo Castro asked me to plan the Dinagyang Half Marathon in January next year while I was also tasked to organize the Masskara race in Bacolod in October. Furthermore, Prosports president Boyet Rentoy asked me to assist him in a race being planned by Microtel Hotel in Palawan. But before I start jumping to all these races, I’ll be up to my neck preparing for another big race in Cebu, the Aboitiz Race to Reduce Challenge 21K run in August.

ELVIS SINGS FOR ASILO

While visiting my sister Eloise’ 80-year-old former nanny, Deling at the Home for the Aged at Asilo De Molo, the nuns invited Elvis to sing for the oldies. The sisters said’ “Don’t underestimate these people, they know Elvis’ songs.” True indeed, one old lady asked me to sing her favorite “Jailhouse Rock”. On second though, the sisters are correct. If Elvis were alive today he would have been 75. “Ka- edad sa taga Asilo”. Well, I’d love to sing for these oldies, who knows, I might be joining them soon. But if I’ll be in a wheelchair “simbako”, I’ll still be racing, wheelchair category.