When charming Charmine Suson, store operations manager of Gaisano Country Mall asked me to organize the Fit and Fab Run, I sort of hesitated. The week before the proposed run, I was directing The Animo La Salle Run and there were 14 races scheduled for the month of July. I can’t understand why all of a sudden, everybody wants to organize a race. But who could say no to a pretty woman like Charmine who’s organizing the run to celebrate Nutrition Month, with part of the proceeds going to Gaisano’s feeding program. Despite two other races scheduled last Sunday, we were still able to come up with a fantastic race. Cebu’s best runners assembled to get a crack at the attractive prizes. The list included Adonis Singson, Joel Delposo, Jorry Ycong, Reprenil Banzon, Jess Gonzaga, Bonifacio Monjas, Madelyn Carter, Christy Tutor, Merlita Arias and Aiza Suaybaguio. But the biggest surprise was the appearance of four,not one contenders of the “Biggest Loser TV Show”. The eve of the race, Cebu-based architect Allan Coachuy called me to confirm the group’s participation. The other three are Joy Siy, Edden Cruz and Eric Limatog. Charmine revealed that she was worried of the turn-out considering that the other race was giving free registration to its clients. However, her anxiety died down when we tallied close to 600. Gaisano Country Mall top honcho Alex Gaisano fired the starter’s gun to send off the runners including the “biggest losers”.
When the smoke cleared, Adonis Singson stood at the podium together with Sherwin Manangil and Jess Gonzaga who took second and third places respectively in the 15K main event. In the distaff side, Christy Tutor served notice that she’s back, Madelyn Carter came in second while Melinda Ponce wound up third. In the 7K division, Joel Delposo repulsed Bonifacio Monjas and Reprinel Banzon while in the women’s category,
Aiza Suaybaguio was just too fast for Jhean Andrin and Merlita Arias. Alex Gaisano assisted by his wife Janet awarded the medals and cash prizes to the winners. Over 60 items including 3 cellphones were raffled off to lucky finishers. Well, it was really a fabulous race fit to have a sequel next year.
Animo La Salle
After the success of The Animo La Salle Run, the La Salle community promised to make the race bigger and better next year. Actually, it took La Salle (ASMC) Toledo Alumni president Vic Reyes and I quite sometime to finally push for the run. But after getting the support of De La Salle Manila Alumni Association headed by Bobby Martinez and Jay Melasa, it was green and go. La Salle Toledo, being the chief organizer came in full force sending two bus loads of participants. We also had runners coming from La Salle Bacolod, Iligan and Ozamis besides Manila of course. We also had an excellent venue which was the Cebu International Convention Center. Next year, John Pages and I will bring more runners from Bacolod where we both come from while Bobby, Mar Martinez, Nino Bascon, Dave Karamihan and Gerry Malixi promised to be more active next year and prepare early. Animo!
Aboitiz Race To Reduce Challenge
Registration to the Aboitiz Race To Reduce Challenge is now in full swing at RUNNR Ayala, Cebu City Sports Center and at One Cebu Office at the Cebu Provincial Capitol. We would like to remind interested runners that registration will only be until August 5, with no extension. So, hurry up, register now! - THE FREEMAN