Charter Day run set for new CCMC

CEBU, Philippines - With the proceeds going to the construction of a new hospital, the Cebu City government will be organizing a fun run in line with its celebration of its 77th Charter Day.

The run, which will serve as the highlight of the event, is set this Sunday, a day before the February 24 Charter Day.

The city, through the Cebu City Sports Commission (CCSC), said this year’s fun run is different from last year’s because of the longer routes and the prizes at stake.

Proceeds will be donated to the city’s campaign project dubbed as “Piso Mo, Hospital Ko,” which is intended for the construction of a new building for the Cebu City Medical Center.

The fund drive has so far earned over P11 million since it was launched last November. The projected amount for the construction of the new CCMC building is at least P1 billion.

Patients of the government-owned hospital have since vacated the building, which was severely damaged by the magnitude 7.2 earthquake that jolted Cebu and Bohol in October 15.

On Monday, the city will start the demolition of the old building located along Natalio Bacalso Avenue corner Panganiban Street.

With a P200 fee, fun run participants have until 4:00 p.m. on Saturday at the Abellana Sports Complex or at the Cebu City Hall.

The categories include 10K and 5K. A 3K category will be free of registration fee and exclusively for City Hall employees.

The organizers said cash prizes will be given to the first 10 runners in the 10K category or Masters Category.

The 10K category was subdivided into four divisions: Division A for runners aged 40-45, Division B for runners aged 46-50, Division C for runners aged 51-59 and Division D for runners aged 60 and above.

Singlets will be distributed to the first 150 finishers in the 10K and 5K categories.

The Charter Day run will start and finish along S. Soriano Avenue with gun starts at 4:00 a.m.

The organizers said one part of the lane will be closed to motorists for some 30 minutes or once the runners already passed by area.

For 10K runners, routes will include Don Sergio Osmeña Blvd., Legazpi Ext., Osmeña Boulevard, Gen. Maxilom Avenue, corner of M.J Cuenco Avenue, J. De Vera St., and up to the finish line.

At least seven medical stations will be put up in strategic areas along the route.

A sufficient number of policemen and traffic enforcers will be also deployed to secure the runners, said the CCSC which will be working in coordination with Cebu City Hall’s Human Resource and Development Office.  (FREEMAN)