Another one bites the dust

“Another One Bites The Dust”, one of Freddie Mercury and The Queen’s hits, could well be the theme of another race held the other Sunday. I don’t want to comment being an organizer myself but being a mediaman and a runner also, I’m obligated to do so. It was a repeat of last April’s run where organizers made news (bad lang intawon) when they awarded prizes way below what they promised or announced. They claimed insufficient funds for not giving the stated amount. Lightning struck twice last Sunday as organizers again declared the race as “failure”. Actually, it stemmed when the technical aspect suffered, after runners claimed they lost their way in the absence of marshals. In frustration, one runner who should have been the champion, toppled the railings when he arrived at the finish line. He was charged of causing trouble or mischief. Runners wanted me to intercede but as I said, I’m also an organizer and people might mistake my move if I meddled. I understand the prizes were divided among the male and the female winners again. It reminds me of a race in Mandaue City last year.

Councilor Ed Labella (who’s trying to solve the woes gripping running events) and I will soon meet so I could give my one cent este... one-centavo piece of advice, being perhaps the longest existing race organizer here in Cebu. I even heared people call me a dinosaur. One of my suggestions is to require organizers to deposit the proposed prizes to the Cebu City Sports Commission before given permits. This way, the winners will be awarded the exact prizes as announced. There should be no “secret” prizes. Organizers must be transparent on how much they are giving, no matter how small. It’s up to the runner to join a race that offers, say P3,000 to a full marathon. Will the series of running fiascos signal the decline of the sport? Let’s wait and see. By the way, the race was supposed to raise funds for a country hit by a disaster. But as things turned out, could it be the other way around? The beneficiary giving to the organizer, so it could pay its prizes?

Animo La Salle Run

Registration to the first-ever Green run in Cebu, The Animo La Salle 12K Run slated July 10 at the Cebu International Convention Center starts next week at The Runnr in Ayala Center, Casa Ilonnga Robinsons Place and Cebu City Sports Center. The run is being organized by The De La Salle ASMC, Alumni Association headed by Architect Vic Reyes. The race also feautures 5K and 3K distances with the latter for kids who are 12 years old and under. Parents or guardians escorting the kids may register in the 3K. Entry fee is P 300 for the 12K and P 250 for the 5K and 3K categories.

Fit And Fab 15k Classic

To celebrate Nutrition Month, Gaisano Country Mall will hold a footrace dubbed Fit and Fab 15K Classic on July 17 at the Gaisano Country Mall parking lot in Banilad. Pretty store manager Charmine Suson said P100 worth of grocery products (health related) await all finishers besides getting singlets. Registration will soon start at the Gaisano Country Mall, Runnr Ayala, Casa Ilongga Robinsons and Cebu City Sports Center. Groceries worth P100, a singlet worth P150, you’re practically running almost for free !

Notes:

Registration to the Warrior 50 Ultramarathon set September 10 in BE Resort, Mactan is now ongoing at Runnr Ayala. Forms for the Century Ultra (Bogo-Cebu City) scheduled on November 18 are also available at the same shop.

Elvis In Iloilo June 12, 2011

Cebu’s Marathon Man and The Freeman’s Sports columnist Raffy Uytiepo who will be wearing his signature Elvis’ white jumpsuit leads over 2,000 runners when The Society Roberto Chua Che Wai Memorial Run fires off on June 12 at the Freedom Grandstand. Uytiepo who is also the Elvis of the Visayas will run the 5K route together with organizer Philipp Chua, a member of the National Shooting Team, one-legged triathlete Rudy Fernandez and Iloilo City government officials including Mayor Jed Mabilog, Vice Mayor Joe Espinosa III and Sports Coordinator Jojo Castro. Uytiepo will also sing several Elvis hits during the awarding ceremonies. Chua said they are also expecting participants coming from Roxas City, Antique and Bacolod City.