65-kilometer ultra marathon set

CEBU, Philippines - All is set for the Front Runner Magazine’s Labor Day “Coast to Coast” 65-kilometer ultra marathon from Toledo to Cebu City on May 1.

The first ultra-marathon here covered a total of 50 kilometers and with the majority of the participants finishing the first edition, the second outing will be a longer one.

Last year’s action drew 182 runners, 160 of which finished the race under the nine-hour cut-off time, a very amazing passing rate according to organizers.

The insistent demand to hold another ultra marathon paved the way for another edition earlier than expected.

This time around, the route will pass through Tran-Central highway to satisfy the thirst of local hardcore runners.

“Don’t be misled, ultra marathon is a lot of fun. We have the whole day to run as compared to a 3K. An ultra marathon is a 65K fun run,” said race organizer Jonnel Mendoza during a news conference yesterday at Cebu Parklane International Hotel.

Apart from the regular marshals, secret marshals will be stationed in different points of the route and will hand participants something to present at the finish line. Failure to hand in the required object will not be considered an official finisher.

Top male and female runners will get a new pair of shoes and an overnight stay at Parklane as bared by Parklane’s general manager Cenelyn Manguilimotan.

The top performers in each age category will be honored with medals.

“This event is all for the love of running not for the cash prizes,” added Mendoza.

Parklane, aside from supporting the ultra-marathon, will also present the Hunat Sugbu Dagan Para ni Maning on May 15 at the Ayala Terraces.

Over a hundred runners have already expressed interest to take part in the event, 65 are from Iloilo, Manila, Cagayan de Oro and Zamboanga and Cebu.

Only 200 runners will be accepted in with a cut-off time of 11 hours.

Registration fee is pegged at P1,200. Entry forms are availabe at Runnr in Ayala Center-Cebu. (FREEMAN)