Women, Holy Grail & Second Chances

Organizers of the Great Lapu-Lapu run must be on tenterhooks as race day nears. It is after all Lapu-Lapu City ’s second attempt at showcasing Mactan as a running and sports tourism destination.

The first staging of the Great Lapu-Lapu run in July last year took a beating from runners and critics alike because of poor race management, bad location of start and finish area and a chaotic traffic management along the race route.

Does Lapu-Lapu deserve a second chance? Of course! Everyone deserves one.

This year’s edition of the Great Lapu-Lapu run looks promising.

First, the use of timing chip provided by Coach Rio Dela Cruz’s Finishline ensures better, more efficient and accurate time keeping. The start/finish area has been relocated from the Lapu-Lapu Hoopsdome to the Liberty Shrine (where the Sutukil stalls are).

But most of all, organizers have promised to close off some roads during the duration of the race to keep the runners safe from Lapu-Lapu’s notorious tricycles and killer multicabs. As an added treat, the race route will include the beautiful Marcelo Fernan Bridge and the park underneath it.

I really really wish the Great Lapu-Lapu Run succeeds this time.

Holy Grail

It is defined as any ultimate, but elusive, goal pursued as in a quest. In marathon running it is called the Boston Marathon – the oldest and most prestigious of all marathons next only to the Olympics. A Boston qualifier is the holy grail of every seasoned marathoner, whether they care to admit it or not.

This is the reason why news of prominent Cebuano female executive runner Millette Chiongbian earning her Boston Qualifier at the LA Marathon last month earns space in the sports pages. It is a monumental achievement. It is a big deal.

Why so?

To qualify for the Boston Marathon, runners must meet the designated time standard that corresponds to their age group, and boy it is tough. Example, if you’re male aged between 18-34, you must clock 3 hours 10 minutes in a marathon certified and recognized by the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races or AIMS.

If you’re a 5-hour marathoner, you’re time is only good for the 80 and above age bracket. So, tough luck for us mere running mortals. But if you’ve been reading the Marathon Foodie, you must already know our mantra here – nothing is impossible and runners only get better with time, you just have to keep at it and train hard.

Running for Women

At first, the Pinay In Action (Visayas Leg) was open only to women, while the men could only register with a female companion.

This stringent rule has been relaxed and made more egalitarian by allowing men to race (with or without a female companion). The men can now also win prices in their own separate category (just be sure to wear pink, dude!). Pinay In Action has male and female categories for 5K and 10K, but the 3K remains exclusively for females. Registration is on-going at the Ayala Active Zone.

Proceeds from the race will go to projects that aim to empower women by providing them tools geared towards leading a healthier and better life as well as information on how women can protect themselves from abuse.

The Marathon Foodie is racing in Pinay In Action on April 11 for far more personal reasons. I’m dedicating all 10 kilometers (and more) for my sister Arlene – a victim of domestic abuse and is currently fighting to survive.

Finally, I’m appealing to all sports-loving Cebuanos to help send sportswriter and colleague Mike Limpag to the World Cup in South Africa .

Mike's article entitled CES Theater of Dreams has been included in the short list of articles by Asian writers vying for a spot to watch the World Cup in June. Please visit http://extratime.posterous.com/tag/top20/ and click the thumbs up sign beside Mike’s name and article for the vote to count. Let’s all help Mike live his football dreams.

Seize the road!

(Email: haide.acuna@gmail.com)