At 5 a.m. last Saturday (Jan. 19), one prominent doctor wearing shorts and running shoes was clicking his camera to take photos. Enjoy these excellent pre-race pictures taken by one of the prime-movers of the Cebu Executive Runners Club (CERC), Dr. Vic Verallo…
10 minutes and counting…. at the Asiatown I.T. Park starting/finishing line
Vice-Mayor Mike Rama with some final words of motivation
One of the people I admire the most in sports is Graeme Mackinnon. For many years, Graeme lived in this Queen City of the South and built Cebu football to what it is today… one of this land’s most popular sports. Now back in his native Australia, Graeme has been following, of course, the Australian Open. I’ll be writing an article on Graeme and Australia (and why it’s one of the world’s sports superpowers) within the week, but for now, here’s a letter Graeme e-mailed me yesterday….
Well what a night. I succumbed to the sleep deprivation of the nights before at 2am this morning (Sunday) with the game still very much in the balance. The caffeine did not do the trick and the match sticks were not helping. All the dramas could not keep me awake. I was surprised this morning to find that Super Brat had won after 4.30am.
Allow me to brag for today and announce that, just now, I’ve joined the Top 10 runners with the most mileage among the Nike Plus users. This goes for the whole Philippines. In my 30 to 39 age-group bracket, I’m No.3 (below). Since I started uploading my runs last August 12, 2007 (or roughly five months ago), I’ve ran a total of 855.57 kms. On to the next goal of 1,000 kms. before we run 42 kms. at the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon on Feb. 17.
I can’t play the drums. Piano? Ha-ha. Back in high school, my mom enrolled me at Reyco, the famous music school near Junquera, and I lasted exactly TWO sessions. The guitar? Can I strum the guitar? Oh my. The only strumming I know is singing the “Killing Me Softly” song… strumming my pain with his fingers. Did I say “singing?” Don’t laugh but every time I sing, my nine-year-old daughter Jana covers her ears while my wife Jasmin asks, “Are you, uhm, reciting a poem?”
Seriously. I have ZERO musical talent. Same with my dad. And my mom. And my grandparents. My ancestors? I’m sure we’re all the same blood. The lone family member who has music bouncing in his veins?
From left: John Pages, Meyrick and Perl Jacalan, Jon Consunji, Dr. Renald Ramiro, Joel Juarez, Joey Santos, Precing Capampangan, Serge Amora, Jesse Taborada and (kneeling down) Raffy Uytiepo
Dr. Renald Ramiro with the winner of the “Best in Costume” award
At six in the morning today (Jan. 19), Vice Mayor Michael Rama fired the starting gun as hundreds of participants pounded the cemented roads of the Asiatown I.T. Park. In the end, after the 5-K and 21-K runners had finished, it was a huge success. Here’s part of the story written by Sun.Star Cebu’s Norvie Misa (click here to read the full story)…
Seated (from left): Raffy Uytiepo, Joey Santos, Bobby Inoferio, Jess Taborada, John Pages and Joe Deresas; (standing) Mendel Lopez, Liezl Geteruelas, Raffy Osumo
Last Thursday (Jan. 17) at 12 noon, I attended the final Press-Conference for the Mizuno-Shell Sinulog Marathon at the Olympic Ballroom of Baseline Restaurant. Presided by arguably the wittiest and funniest man in Cebu, Bobby Inoferio, it was all running-talk at the SCOOP Forum. With me were Jess Taborada (President, Cebu Executive Runners Club), Raffy Uytiepo (Race Director), Joe Deresas (Technical Director), Joey Santos (PATAFA representative), Dr. Renald Ramiro, and several of Cebu’s top runners (including Liezl Geteruelas, Merlita Arias, Madeline Carter and top male runner Mendel Lopez). It’s all “Ready, Set… and Go!” for this Saturday.
If you own a pair of running shoes, can lift one leg in front of the other and move from Point A to Z; if you love to sweat and know that while your heart is pumping 155 beats per 60 seconds then you’re getting healthier; and, best of all, if you want to join in a Sinulog activity this busy weekend—then I suggest you join me and hundreds of others this Saturday. The Sto. Niño procession? No, that’s on Saturday afternoon. The Sinulog Grand Parade? That’s on Sunday.
At 6 a.m. this Saturday—just two days from now—it’s a sports event that’s touted as one of Cebu’s biggest running spectacles this 2008: The Mizuno-Shell Sinulog Half-Marathon.
Organized by the Cebu Executive Runners Club (CERC) and ASAP (Advertising Services And Promotions), the Sinulog Half-Marathon offers two options for all: a 5-K Run and the 21-K Half-Marathon. The start and finish will be at the Asiatown I.T. Park and participants are asked to be there by 5:30 a.m.
Registration is on-going at five locations: the Cebu City Sports Center (near the entrance gate), Mizuno Shop (SM City-Cebu), the Holiday Gym & Spa in Banilad, Sug-Angan Restaurant (along J. Llorente St.), and the Mint Sports Shop at the BTC.
Fees? They’re reasonable: For students, only P95; for the 5-K runners, P150; and for the half-marathon, it’s P250. Deadline? We highly suggest you register today (Thursday).
If you have further questions, you can call the two top officials running this event: Jesse Taborada (president of CERC) at 254-8096 or 0917-5251259, or Meyrick Jacalan (owner of ASAP Advertising) at 232-8518 or 19. See you!