Local runners brace for tough challenge

CEBU, Philippines - Local runners expect a tough challenge ahead with some Kenyan runners joining this Sunday’s “Smile to the Finish Line: A Charity Run for Operation Smile Cebu” at the Asiatown IT Park in Brgy. Apas, this city.

Runcheck’s Kenneth Casquejo told The Freeman that Kenyan runners have signed up for the half marathon.

The Kenyans who just signed up are not the same runners who competed in last week’s SM 2 SM Run that left local bets with no choice than to put their best foot forward.

“Wala untay mga Kenyans ba pero kung naa man gani gyud, wala na tay mahimo. Maningkamot lang gyud mi ani,” said Joy Tabal.

Aside from the Kenyans, one of the country’s sought-after movie and television actor Richard Gutierrez along with the multi-awarded Cesar Montano and his wife Sunshine Cruz will be on hand to spice up the event.

Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia and Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama are also expected to show up and run besides each other for the first time. They decided to join the battle in support of their common friend Mariquita Salimbangon-Yeung, the chairman of Operation Smile.

Cheerdancers and drum corps will also be at designated areas to cheer up the runners as they vie for the top spots.

Funds raised for the event will be used for selected children born with facial defects such as cleft lips and cleft palate to avail of free reconstructive surgeries and medicines through Operation Smile Cebu.

So far, over a thousand runners signed up for the race spread in five race lengths -1.6K, 3K, 5K, 10K and 21K.

Those who have not yet registered are given only until today to enlist. Entry fee is pegged at P250 for the 1.6K family run, 3K and 5K run, while 10k runners will be assessed with P450 and P650 for the 21K.

Students will be made to pay P150 only, but without a singlet. Entry forms are available at Runnr and Ayala Active Zone.

Half-marathon finishers will get a t-shirt and a loot bag while all other finishers get free snacks, water from Summit Natural Drinking Water and 100 Plus. (FREEMAN)