Several years ago the Association of Road Race Organizers (ARRO) was formed to set guidelines on footraces while fostering harmony among race organizers. At the time it was easy to control running events since there were only a few.
In Manila for instance, all we had was the Manila International Marathon (MIM) that later became the PAL Manila Marathon and the Third World Marathon (Pilipinas International Marathon). In Cebu there was none (although) the infamous Cebu Marathon organized by Sgt. Geoffrey (Little), until the Cebu Executive Runners Club revived it in 2010.
With the mushrooming of running events in the country, what used to be 3 races a year became 3 races a week. Even Saturdays are utilized if Sundays are booked. Some groups or individuals devoid of any race organizing experience rode on the popularity of the event with other motives other than development or physical fitness.
Two years ago the Cebu City Sports Commission through executive director Brando Velasquez and Raul Manawatao attempted to end the rampant holding of footraces. Since yours truly is the more experienced among the group, being the last president of ARRO, I was asked to spearhead the Cebu Association of Road Race Organizers (CARRO).
In the organizational meeting Joel Baring, Dr. Peter Mancao, Joe Deresas, Loida Genova, PSC’s Audie Marte and Nilo Villadolid were in attendance. We set the guidelines based from ARRO, but the body never took off as it lacked official sanction from the City Government. One of the guidelines was, existing races (3 years onwards) will be given priority.
Light at the tunnel end
Councilor Ed Labella’s proposed ordinance was the answer. Now that the City Council approved the measure that only one race be allowed in one day, fly-by-night organizers will have to think twice.
With this development, established races like Milo Marathon and CCM among others will be calendared. Food allowances for CITOM personnel is also a welcome move.
In some running events, “pasmo” ang enforcers while garbage are littered in the race route. With the regulation implemented, runners will have time to recover from the weekly races.
Would you believe one runner ran on a Saturday joined a midnight run and ran agin a few hours later. No wonder we cannot develop new talents anymore “laspag” na sila. Let’s see what happens when the ordinance takes effect.
Elvis on CCTN
After two successive appearances on Sam Enchanted Evening, a lot of texters want more of Elvis. As Sam Costanilla and Ate Ging said we are in the midst of doing two concerts this year. If plans don’t miscarry Elvis and Cliff Richard will perform in one hell of a concert.
Cliff Richard is no other than my “kababayan” and good friend, Jose Mari Chan, who is the undisputed Cliff Richard of the Philippines. My classmate at La Salle Bacolod Monico Puentevella is the Cliff Richard of Bacolod. The other proposed schedule is on the death anniversary of Elvis in August. An “Elvistival” is being planned with several Elvis Impersonators performing on stage and lastly Sam has invited Elvis to do “Jailhouse Rock” with the dancing inmates of the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center. Looking forward to that Sam.