First race for 2013

It’s all systems go for the Cooperative Advocacy Run that fires off on January 6 at the Plaza Independencia. The race which will have a 3K, 5K and 10K distances, will enter the books as the first running event for 2013.  Silay Marathon champion Ambraham Missos and Francis Kakui will lead the Kenyan assault while the locals will be bannered by Philip Duenas and Joy Tabal. Also running in the 5K are Mayor Mike Rama, councilors Ed Labella, Edu Rama, and  Nida Cabrera who’s also part of the organizing committee that include Cebu City Cooperative Development Corp. Director Philip Deri, Nap Sentillas and Rolly Diorico.  The race got a boost recently with the entry of MAPFRE Insular represented by Sharmaine Iba who said they are also fielding runners from their  company.  The champions in the 10K Division (male and female) will each receive P5,000 while the second and third placers pocket P3,000 and P2,000 respectively. Fourth placers will receive P700 and the fifth placers will go home richer by P500.  In the 5K Category, the champions are assured of P3,000.  Second placers will get P2,000  while third placers will settle for P1,000. Fourth placers will  receive P500 with the fifth placers getting P300.  Registration  is now in full swing at Runnr Ayala and at the Cebu City Sports Center (Athletics Office c/o Lyle Larida).

Sinulog run

Close to a thousand runners answered the starter’s gun last Sunday as the 3rd Sinulog Mardi Gras Run unfolded at the Cebu City Sports Center.  The race was the opening salvo of the Sinulog Festival set third week of January.  After the warm-up, ELVIS of  the Visayas further heated up in the crowd with his rock and  roll hits that saw Mayor Mike Rama dancing to “Blue Suede Shoes”.  Later Elvis joined the Mayor who ran with his son Mikel.  Over 800 runners mostly from City Hall joined the run with the Kenyans as usual sweeping the first three places. There were also several runners in costume with Twinkle Ignacio winning the award. Candidates of the Miss Cebu City  Pageant also  graced the run.

Best race

When I asked Manang Krizanta what’s his favorite race, he said it’s not Boston, New York, Los Angeles, Chicago or London.  “So what’s youre choice?”, I queried.  Well, hands down it’s the UP Oblation Run where the runners just let them hang.  Several members of the Kapisanan ng mga Bakla sa Pilipinas (KBP) were around to compare “notes”.  “Sana the race will be allowed in the streets rather than confined at the UP Campus”. Sorry, they will be charged with indecent exposure. “Ano va yan? “ wailed Manang Krizanta”.   HAPPY NEW YEAR!