Howling success

The Zonta Club of Cebu moved closer to its goal of constructing  a referral center for women who are victims of domestic violence. After the huge success of the Run for Zonta Says No held at the Terraces last Sunday, club president Nelie Chiu said they are thankful to the response of the running community and the sponsors who together made the event successful. Over 1,500 answered  the starting gun fired by Chiu and Zonta chairman Emily Cioson. The runners included Senator Pia Cayetano and Mayor Mike Rama. Kenyan Isaac Simat, fresh from another victory in a race at the SRP Saturday, ruled the run in 33:52 while Ruffa Sorongon also the women’s champion in that Saturday race, clocked 42:58 to annex the crown in the distaff side. The participants who came mostly from the different  schools  and universities were treated to raffle prizes and were entertained by the USC cheer team, the Knapsack Dancers and Elvisaya, the Elvis of the Visayas who belted rock and roll hits that even made host Mila Espina dance. Some  of the major sponsors of the race are the Province of Cebu, the City of Cebu, University of the Visayas, Benedicto College, Cebu Chamber of Commerce, Julie’s Bakeshop, Taiheiyo Cement, Virginia Foods and Omega (IPI).

Southern Leyte Sports

Southern Leyte provincial tourism officer Nedgar Garvez, blew into town to arrange the schedule of our proposed sports events for the province next year. For our first event we are looking at the Limasawa Island, site of the first mass in the Philippines for the Limasawa Triathlon  during the holy week. On March 31, the Sto. Niño image from the Cebu Basilica will be brought to Limasawa Island where a mass will be held. The Sto.Nino will be brought to Leyte by the Philippine Coast Guard. So  meaning, if we time our triathlon during that period, Cebu participants will have a free ride on the coast guard vessel. This early, I’m deluged with many injuries. Well, it will be an Olympic distance with the bike segment route, a mix of rough and paved roads. Then the next event is the Governor’s Cup Marathon Relay where 10 runners each from the 19 municipalities of Southern Leyte, field a team to complete a 42K race from Malitbog  to Maasin Provincial Capitol. Then finally in October, we will stage the Agas Agas Bridge Ultramarathon, a 90K race from the country’s tallest bridge (300 feet) to the Capitol.  Keep tuned for more details.

Did you know?

Former president Jimmy Carter was a member of the cross country team at the Naval Academy long before he became president. Michael Dukakis finished 57th place in 3:31 in the 1951 Boston Marathon.

Peter Maher was a 210-pound smoker who later ran 2:11 in a marathon and represented Canada in the Olympics.