Green light on for 2nd CCM

CEBU, Philippines - After several months of rigorous preparations, everything is already in place for the second edition of the highly-anticipated Cebu City Marathon this Sunday starting and ending at the Asiatown IT Park grounds in Brgy. Apas, this city.

Organized by the Cebu Executive Runners Club (CERC) in association with the city government of Cebu, the race will fill the roads with 6,390 runners who will show off their mental toughness and physical endurance in the 42K full-marathon, 21K and 5K categories.

Meyrick Jacalan of CERC said 500 of the participants in the full marathon came from the Vis-Min area followed by Manila with 300, while 64 foreigners from 16 countries will add glitz to the grand event. The overseas entries came from Australia, Guam, Canada, Macau, China, Sweden, Thailand, Germany, United Kingdom, United States and Kenya.

Among the country's elite runners who are strong contenders for the coveted 42K title include former Milo Marathon champion Crisenciano Sabal, defending women’s titlist Aileen Tolentino, international marathoner Mary Grace de los Santos and Cebu’s own Mary Joy Tabal.

“Big numbers of runners from neighboring provinces and other countries are coming not only to participate but also to take part in the upcoming Sinulog festival,” said CERC member and Sportswriters Association of Cebu (SAC) president John Pages in a news conference yesterday at Laguna Garden Cafe` in The Terraces of Ayala Center Cebu.

Cebu City Mayor Michael L. Rama, on the other hand, said the City government played a big role in staging the CCM because they also aspire to transform Cebu as the running capital of the Philippines.

“It’s the responsibility of the City government to take part on this race,” said Rama. “Together we make things happen and I’m proud to say Ato ni Bay!”

Aside from closing the entire South Road Properties including the underground tunnel which will be part of the race route, the Cebu City Traffic and Operations Management (CITOM) and the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) will deploy traffic enforcers and police officers and fire trucks to ensure the safety of the race.

Close to P400,000 in cash prizes will be given away to the top performers, with the grand winners in the 42K division gobbling up the biggest chunk.

Special awards and exciting freebies will also be given away, while a specially designed mango-shaped medal will be given to all the 42K finishers.

Meanwhile, there will be a Race Expo today at Active Zone in Ayala Center Cebu. There will also be an onsite registration to accommodate latecomers, but they can't receive a singlet anymore. (FREEMAN)