Around 8,000 runners to join the race all set for 3rd CCM

CEBU, Philippines - Around 8,000 runners from at least 18 nations around the globe are expected to flood the City's main thoroughfares with the staging of the 3rd Cebu City Marathon this Sunday starting and ending at the Cebu IT Park.

As of yesterday, a total of 7,022 fitness buffs haved already signed up for the event. 1, 568 registered for the 42K full marathon, 1, 340 for 21K and 4, 114 for the 5K.

Reigning National Milo Marathon champion Mary Grace de los Santos will see action in the 21K along with his toughest rival Mary Joy Tabal.

Aside from the host country, runners from Kenya, Norway, Germany, United Kingdom, Singapore, Japan, Hong Kong and United States to mention a few are also raring to show their stuff in one of the most colorful and grandest running events in the region.

For the safety of participants, most of the race route will be closed to traffic. The South Road Properties (SRP) will be completely closed and for the rest of the route, half of the entire road will be cordoned off.

Drinking water will be provided at the finish line and every two kilometers along the course, while medical aid will be available at certain points.

Runners will surely enjoy a festive atmosphere during the race day at the organizers will provide games, raffles and entertainment to competitors, fun runners and spectators alike from start to finish.

Meyrick Jacalan of the Cebu Executive Runners Club (CERC) said they will hold a couple of session for those who are planning to run in the 42K.

The registration was officially closed last December 15 but due to public demand, there will be a special registration for the 5K category on January 4 to 6 at the Marathon Expo but they will no longer have the timing chips and singlets.

The top finishers in the 42K will go home P50,000 richer, while the champions in the 21K and 5K will take home P15,000 and P10,000, respectively.

A lot of pre-race activities are in store for all runners including the Marathon Expo on January 4-6 at the Active Zone in Ayala Center-Cebu. Race packs may also be claimed during the Expo.

Presented by Castrol in partnership with New Balance, Ayala Center Cebu and Cebu IT Park, the 3rd CCM is organized by the Cebu Executive Runners Club, the city government of Cebu and ASAP Advertising Services and Promotions, Inc. (FREEMAN)