Longest race

The longest  footrace ever in the Visayas and Mindanao, the HARDCORE 100 MILES (160km) Ultramarathon, fires off on November 17 at the new Bogo City Hall. The race organized by Frontrunner  Magazine and Bogo City will start at 1:00 a.m of November 17 and will end the following day (November 18) at 7:00 a.m.  Runners who fail   to reach the cutt-off time of 20 hours at Borbon Municipal Hall will no longer be allowed to continue. Those who survive the first cut-off of 20 hours at Borbon but fail to arrive at the finish line in 30 hours will be declared “Did not finish” (DNF).  Pre-race briefing will be held at Bogo City Hall at 11:00 a.m the Ultra  will start at the City Hall then proceed to Medellin then Kawit, Daanbantayan, turn around at Maya then go back to Bogo via Curva, Medellin.  From Bogo the runners will cover Tabogon, Borbon,Sogod then back to Bogo via EME. Participants will receive a Sahara cap, sling bag, souvenir event shirt, race map and bib.  Finishers will receive a silver buckle worth Php 2,500,medal and shirt.  Mayor Junie Martinez who gave his all out support last year will be providing meals at the finish line while a lechon will also be available courtesy of a participant who requested not to be named. City administrator Pepe Lepon said Bogo is providing two ambulances, race escorts, accommodation and  aid stations.

Bogo 50 Miles

For those who cannot tackle the 100 MILES, a 50 mile (80km) category will be held on same day starting also at 1:00 a.m and ending  at 4:00 p.m. Some of the familiar names registered in the 160km are last years’ Century Properties 100k Ultramarathon champion Bayani Alvarez, 66 year-olds Dr. Abe Manlawe and Comrades Marathon veteran Paolo Osmeña, son of Minnie Osmeña. Multi-titled Noel Tillor begged off this time as he will be running in the Singapore Marathon.

Gawad  kalinga  run

One race that is really a fund raising running event is the Gawad Kalinga Takbo Ng Mga Bayani. Proceeds of the run will support Gawad Kalinga, that provides housing program for the less fortunate.  According to race director Raffy Osumo the run will be staged on November 25 at Parkmall in Mandaue City.  On the same day,  another race will be held with a lot of perks but if you’re a passionate runner it’s not the material aspects but the cause.  Lately I’m saddened with several runners’ attitude.  On one occasion for instance, while I was at Runnr, where several singlets and medals are displayed (to entice the would-be participants?),  I overheard two ladies comparing  the singlets “Dinhi lang ta Day, nindot ang singlet”.  I just cant help it so I butted in and said “if it’s the singlets you are after and not the cause or wellness, I’ll sell you some imported singlets at a give away price mas nindot pa”. You don’t even have to run. During the early years, singlets were given at the finish line. Some don’t even get one as it’s not for everybody but say, for the first 200 finishers.  You really have to sweat it out not just sort of buying it. These are the people that will fade away when the running boom is over.  So be a hero join the Takbo ng mga Bayani.  Register at Runnr Ayala.  You have 4 categories to select 3K, 6K, 12K and 21K.

Midnight  5k run

After 10 years, we wanted to discontinue with the Midnight Run, the only remaining midnight run in the country.  But City Sports Club Cebu sports manager Rey Fuentes said it’s been a tradition. It’s also the date of the original concept the “Simbang Gabi”. So on December 16, we will hold the 11th edition of the Midnight Run.  Registration will soon start at Runnr.  Entry fee is Php 300.00 inclusive of singlet and breakfast at the City Sports Club veranda.