Controversy hits another fun run event

CEBU, Philippines - Another 'fun run' event here turned into a huge embarrassment as the "Run for Japan" was swamped with controversies and complaints from disgruntled runners yesterday at the Terraces grounds of Ayala Center Cebu.

Aside from the various gripes of participants such as lack of water stations, race marshals and street signs and run time error, the fiasco came up to the point where Sherwin Managuil, a veteran marathoner and running coach, was picked up by a police officer after engaging in a heated confrontation with the race director.

"Di sad mabasul si Sherwin (Managuil) uy kay daghan kuwang sa lumba. Wala man sad mi nakita nga dapat pa siya ipadala sa police kay iya raman gipagawas ang iyang kadismaya," echoed by the runners.

"This race was a complete flop," said regular running doctor Adam Alviar."It was poorly facilitated. No guide, no signs, it was very unsafe and we had only one water station."

The dismay of less than 500 runners escalated when they found out that the 16K, 8K and 4K became an open mixed category, which means that there will be only three winners in both classes.

"Igo lang ta muhilak ani," said veteran runner and international climbathoner Merlita Arias-Dunkin. "Sa sunod, dili sila magtuga-tuga og organize ug unta ma-kontrol sad ning mga ubang magpataka lang og organize."

Even though cash prizes were given after the race, some of the top finishers felt being robbed as Jordan Bacong ,who emerged as the fastest in the 16K division, only took home P3,000, while the winner of the 9K got only P2, 000.

John Wyndill Reg, a third placer, said he didn't received even a single centavo.

"Wala nalang ko mamugos kay samok naman kaayo ug daghan na nangreklamo. Okay nalang ko nga nakadagan ug na third place ko," said Reg.

When sought for his comments, Jobol Sereño, who was identified by the runners as the race organizer and director, refused to give his side saying he was in a hurry for another event that he is organizing in Bohol.

"Klaro kaayo ni nga fly-by night race," said noted race director and The FREEMAN columnist Raffy Uytiepo. "Luoy kaayo ang mga runners. For me, that was the worst run that ever happened in Cebu. Dapat na gyud nga naay body nga mo-control ani." (FREEMAN)