Long Road, High Drama

November 22, 2011

All within the past 12 months Cebu played host to the staging of five ultramarathons with distances ranging from 50 to 65 kilometers. But the Cebu Century Properties 100K Ultramarathon last November 18-19 was a landmark run of sorts for Cebu being, the longest footrace the province had ever seen passing through four cities and eight towns.

So, on a moonless Friday night in Bogo City, Cebu, 160 runners and their mobile support crew waited for the stroke of midnight. Their mission: run-walk a total of 104.5 kilometers of road from the province's northernmost tip all the way to the finishline in Plaza Independencia at the heart of Cebu City in 18hours and 30 minutes or less.

Photo credit: James L. Go

But first they had to cross the 1^st and only checkpoint at kilometer 50 in Catmon town in nine (9) hours or be considered DNF (did not finish). This half-way cut-off made some runners run faster than they should and abandon the cardinal rules of finishing a 100K ultra – pace yourself, don't get sucked in someone else's program and conserve energy.

As the day progressed, the sheer difficulty of running 100++ kilometers was aggravated by the punishing and unrelenting heat courtesy of sunny, blue skies with nary a cloud sight. It was a perfect weather for going to the beach, but for the 160 ultra runners the sunny weather was simply a bitch.

Nevertheless, the aid stations and the mobile support crew made it all seem like a beach party rather than a death march. The aid stations and support crew, were all provided for and manned by volunteers coming from members of Cebu's running clubs like Ungo and Cebu Ultrarunners Club to name a few. Leg rub, neck massage, sponge baths, bananas, chocolates, biscuits, free-flowing ice water, sports drinks and caffeinated sugary drinks are standard fare, but others pulled out all the stops and provided puso, lechon, eggs, humba and ice candy

Runners rolling out the red carpet for fellow runners – without being asked, without being paid, and without discriminating whether you're local or not is something that I've only seen in ultra races held in Cebu. There were runners from out-of-town who had no provision for a mobile support crew and survived only with help from volunteer aid stations. If it were any other 100K outside Cebu, they would not have survived.

Photo credit: James L. Go

 In all of my ultra races here in Cebu, I have always been a recipient of kindness and generosity from the volunteer aid stations of Ungo and CUC. Last Saturday was my chance to give back. Together with fellow ultrarunners Cora Quiamco and Phindy Honasan, we manned the aid station at the 82KM mark in Liloan town right outside the house of Ironman Raymond Bontol, MD. With 18 kilometers still remaining after 11 to 15 hours of constant motion, runners were almost at their weakest both mentally and physically. It is part of the support crew's job to make sure that the runners do not give up after running so far. But what do you say to someone who's sleep-deprived suffering from unimaginable pain and still with 2 to 3 hours of running to do? Our standard line was “malapit na lang, promise” for the out of towners and “duol na lang jud bai” for the locals. Unless they were injured we did not allow runners to linger more than 2 minutes. They kept asking if there was still time to make it to cut-off and we would say -- “Of course there's time – but you have to keep believing!” That's all supporters could do, for in the end, it is still the runner who must will himself to finish and put one foot in front of the other no matter how painful.

Only 118 finished within the 18:30 cut-off, but many others would continue the race even knowing that they would no longer make it the official list of finishers like Richie Al Villagante, who was running with an engagement ring in his pocket and whose ultimate mission that day was to ask for the hand of his lady love Agatha Llamasares who was waiting at Plaza Independencia. 

Photo credit: Team WayPak Runners

After 20 hours of running non-stop and barely able to fold his legs Richie entered the Plaza with a banner announcing to the whole world his proposal and grant gesture of love– “I just ran 102K to marryyou.”  (click link for video).  Then he struggled to climb the stairs of the mini stage, whipped out a red box from his running shorts soaked with sweat and hugged a totally surprised and emotional Agatha while the runners and supporters who have not slept for almost 24 hours cheered, laughed and cried at the same time.

A fitting end to a day filled with triumphs – both of the human spirit and of the human heart.

Lessons from a Summit Challenge

October 11, 2011

Photo credit: Bro. Carlo Bacalla, SDB

Challenge is a word not to be taken lightly. This, in one short sentence sums up the Summit 60K Ultra Challenge – the debut race organized by the Sugbu Ultra Running Enthusiasts (SURE). And what a debut race it was.

There are good races and there are good races, but very few can claim to have set the bar high. The organizers of the Summit 60K Ultra Challenge composed of the hardworking triumvirate – Bro . Carlo Bacalla, SDB as Race Director, Joel Juarez as Technical Director and Rizalde Abapo Velano of Absolute Sales Corporation (who provided what seemed like an unlimited supply of Summit water and 100 Plus sports drink) did not only manage to put together a good race, they've also set the bar high for other ultra endurance races in Cebu as well. The following are the reasons why:

Photo credit: Khrizzie Mercado Enopia

• ·         The start and finish area at the Talisay City Hall had ample parking and security, clean restrooms, a real start and finish arc with digital clock.
• ·         The race started on time (exactly 4AM) thanks in part to Talisay City Councilor Bernard Odilao who came early to the starting area and not make the runners wait for the host city's welcome address.
• ·         Half of the SRP on the Talisay City side was closed to vehicular traffic even if there were only 81 of us.
• ·         As promised, there were hydration and aid stations every five (5) kilometers and roving marshals throughout the route.
• ·         A full force of Talisay City Runners Club members went out of their way to guide participants showing us visitors that, despite what you read in the papers about Talisay City's infamous son (a certain Joavan), Talisaynons are very nice, very welcoming people who were in fact very appreciative of special idiots called ultra runners.
• ·         The race included a relay category, which allowed newbies a taste of an ultra distance event, without forcing them to take on a distance that their bodies are not ready for.
• ·         As runners crossed the finishline, the race secretariat acknowledged through loudspeaker the runner's name and ranking.
• ·         Each finisher got a customized medal plus a customized trophy which showed the runner's actual placing in the race. The certificate of completion had the finisher's name printed on it and last but not least, the finisher's shirt with reflective material good for night runs was worth keeping.
• ·         Finishers were treated to a full meal of puso, lechon, ngo hiong, cold beer and cold water at the finishline.

    However, the best part of the race was the route/course design which was challenging and beautiful at the same time. Even Rick Gaston, a veteran of two Western States 100's (the oldest 100 mile trail ultra) called it a “hard and impressive course”.

Photo credit: Sydney Delos Reyes (Biga Con Pit, Atlas Mines)

It took us through the flat roads of the SRP, Tabunoc and Lagtang in Talisay City, going up to the misty mountains in Manipis Road through Campo 4 to Campo 6 before passing through a portion of Cebu City's Barangay Sinsin. Rough roads led us to (surprise, surprise) the Atlas mines in Lutopan, when minutes before I was just in Cebu City. I really did not know until then that these two seemingly far apart places are right beside connected by hidden mountain roads and trails. There in Loay we ran through 7 kilometers of sand, rocks and mud on one side with a view of lush mountains and the turquoise waters of a small lake inside what use to be the Biga Con pit. As we reached the summit, runners were treated to a view of the Tanon Strait and the island of Negros right across.

Photo credit: Sydney Delos Reyes (w/ Antit Del Rosario)

Just as we thought all the climbing was over as we descended towards Campo 7 passing through Minglanilla's interior barangays, we had to climb once again through a reforested area in Campinsa. Who would have thought that Talisay City had a mini forest! I later learned that even lumads like Frances Seville-Ang who was born and bred in Talisay City did not even know of its existence even if it's just five (8) kilometers from the back of Camella Homes where we descended on our way back to the finishline.

Photo credit:  Dr. Willie Estepa

I went home from last Sunday's race with more than just mileage. The Biga Con pit in Loay, with its juxtaposed beauty and desolation, made me feel like I was the last person on the planet running towards the edge of the Earth. Then it hit me, really hard -- how terrible it is to be doomed to wander the planet alone. Like being blindsided and caught with a punch coming from nowhere, I cried right there in the middle of what was once Southeast Asia's largest copper mine and realized that despite my procrastinating and my million reasons not to have children, deep down I really do want one.

You don't expect races to hit you on an emotional and personal level, but once in a while they do and when it hits home, it leaves you pondering even days after the last trace of muscle soreness is gone. The Summit 60K Challenge managed to do that for me.

Hidden Routes

October 3, 2011

My baby brother Sonnyboy, who loves to bike on mountain trails in between med school exams, has been telling me about the trails of Barangay Budlaan for the longest time.

Listening to him describe his route with streams, a mini river and mountains, right in the middle of Cebu City's busy Talamban area makes the place sound mythical and almost unbelievable, until I ran the 4th leg of Columbia Eco Trail.

Budlaan is well known amongst bikers, but I've never heard of a foot race being held there before. Also, there is something truly hardcore about having to climb mountains and cross rivers to get to the finishline, which is why it piqued my interest and made me sign up for the Eco Trail Run.

There were no more than 100 runners at the starting line early morning of Saturday. I saw the “usual suspects” from the previous leg of Columbia's trail run series and quite a number of trail running newbies like June Rabin of Monster Radio BT 105.9 and Marget Fernan-Villarica.

It was a no frills race.. Runners were required to bring their own hydration system as there was only one hydration refilling station halfway through the route. 

While this would have raised howls of protest (not to mention a bashing on social networking sites) in a road race, I heard none last Saturday. It still baffles me how trail runners accept this with nary a complaint. 

My only explanation is that hydration will not be an issue as long as you are candid with runners from the very start and say -- “Hey, because of the race terrain we have very limited logistics. So, we advice you to provide for your own supplies.” 

Or maybe, trail runners are either just made of more hardy stuff ; or they are just too smitten by the beauty of the trails hidden to most regular people (even most runners) that complaining about lack of water stations seems petty.

To say that the trails and the 2-kilometer river trek were pretty is an understatement. Yes, the 60-degree climb plus 400-meter elevation (as indicated on my Garmin F-305) was a bitch and the descents toe-crushing, but the view from the top was priceless and beautiful beyond words.

Despite the beauty of the trails, the growth of trail running in Cebu is still slow compared to the explosion of road running and racing. There are two reasons why regular roadies, despite the high mileage under their belt can be quite intimidated by the trails – fear of getting lost and getting injured.

 In trail running, runners are expected navigate their way through the lush vegetation with nary a soul in sight relying only trail markers and a few marshals. Runners have to rely on gut. If you feel that you are lost, then you probably are. The only way to find your way back is to retrace your steps and find the last marker to get your bearings. As Tabugok Mountaineer so aptly puts it, “Dili jud day pwede sa Trail Run ang 'puro lakas walang utak"!” 

As for getting injured, I have only this to say: The road and the trail both present equal amount of chances for getting injured. It is not the trail's fault. It's the way we run it and the shoes we wear while running on trail that's to blame if we get injured. 

For those unfamiliar with Budlaan, it's the barangay between Talamban and Busay. Getting there is easy. Just hop on a jeepney going to Talamban and get off at Sunny Hills subdivision where motorcycles wait to take passengers on a 4.5-kilometer ride to Budlaan Barangay Hall. 

Of course you can also help reduce your carbon footprint by running from your house to Sunny Hills then on to Budlaan. When the road forks, your left leads to La Tegola in Busay and the right leads to Pit-os. Just ask the locals for directions. Be sure to bring your own hydration system and energy bars as stores can be few and far between.

Falling in Love with Trail Running

July 22, 2011

After running and racing city streets for the longest time, my legs were becoming road-weary.  I felt the urge for a change of scenery and discover new running routes – off the beaten path.   And so I signed up for the 3^rd leg of the Columbia Eco Trail Run.  I almost knew nothing about the race, except that the starting line will be at the Guadalupe Church and runners will traverse the trails of Barangay Kalunasan.

On Saturday morning I showed up at the starting line, I felt out of place in my in my short split shorts and runner’s long bra.  Almost all the women and most of the male runners were wearing throw-away tights, long sleeves or arm warmers.  We were less than 100 runners.

During the briefing we were told that runners had to bring their own water, the race route was 12.5KM and that the cut-off time is 5 hours.  Five hours for a 12K race?  Why would you need that much time to finish 12.5K?

Three hours and 10 minutes after, I got my answers.  If you’re a new runner, you would probably need all of five hours where more than 50% of the route involved technical ascents and steep down hills, tricky and slipper ridge walk, jungle trek with grass, plants and foliage up to your neck, and two water (stream) crossing.  The tights and arm warmers were protection from mud and nasty cuts during the jungle trek.

When I reached the top of Barangay Kalunasan just before the turnaround point, I understood why the band of runners who showed at the starting line paid P350 registration without any complaints for a race with no water station and with only shirts (and no cash) as prizes for the top 3 males and females.  The view of the city from an elevation higher than the Transcentral Highway was priceless.  As I stood there, my eyes felt misty.  I breathed, took it all in and felt truly happy to be alive and healthy enough to make the climb and see the city that I love like I’ve never seen it before.    

Photo credit: J. Robles 

There will be a 4^th leg of the Columbia Eco Trail Run.  If you wish to experience for yourself the magic of trail running, consider these trail running tips I gathered (albeit belatedly) from the web:

   Run on roads for a while before moving to trails. It helps to have a base level of fitness before you attempt your first trail run.

Wear trail-running shoes, and dress in high-performance running clothes that are appropriate for all potential weather conditions.

Prepare by eating and drinking the proper things before and during your run.

 Run on trails that are suitable to your level of fitness. Choose flat trails if you're a beginner or more challenging trails if you're an experienced runner.

Pace yourself. Save energy for the miles ahead.

 Slow down on steep climbs. Many experienced trail runners "power walk" steep sections and make up the lost time on flats and downhill slopes.

 Stay in control on steep descents - keep your head up, control your speed and avoid obstacles.

 Take water and some gels because it will take longer than you think.

 Leave the trail as you found it.  Don't leave your gel packs, plastic bags, gum, gum wrappers, banana peels or anything else.

Joel Baring gets it right

Photo credit: Lorebelle Joy

Joel Baring is one of the three race directors in Cebu who has been organizing road races way before the running boom hit town. The other two are Joe Deresas and Raffy Uytiepo.

I’ve had the occasion of running many of Joel’s races. There were some that fell short of basic technical standards such as the first Ayala Eco dash in September 2009 where frontrunners got lost due to poor marshalling, while others while not directly attributable to Joel’s fault, lacked the basic necessities such as water and water cups (2009 Kapamilya Run).

But when Joel Baring gets it right, he can be brilliant and the run he directs – memorable. (Think: Boljoon Heritage Run in November 2010). He likes making new routes on old rubber-weary streets, his timing and race result can be fast and accurate even without the aid of timing chips or RFID his flag bearing marshalls visible at all crucial corners and turning points.

The 11^th Kapamilya Run last Sunday was again directed by Joel Baring. As any race organizer knows, DYAB and ABS CBN, with its network red tape and bureaucracy, are not the easiest race organizers to deal with. Still, Joel managed to come up with a race that satisfies all the basics of a good race. Good marshaling, adequate water supply, accurate race distance, new race route (even on old streets and with another run being held simultaneously), and accurate record keeping with nary a complaint and controversy among the winners and podium finishers.

Despite Joel’s past mistakes and shortcomings, you really can’t help but like Joel Baring. While his races may not always be grand or flawless, you know he tries and tries really hard to make the next race better than the last. It helps too that he’s such a humble guy and willing to listen to criticisms – whether positive or just plain irate.

Ageing backwards

June 10, 2010

Birthdays make you, well, older. It’s nothing to celebrate about. A birthday run however is another matter. The day I turned a year older was a Thursday. It meant waking up at 3 A.M. in time for my 4AM track workout at the Cebu City Sports Center. The quota was 800mx8 at 4 minutes 45 seconds with 400m recovery jog in between. No free passes even on your big day.

There was a time when birthdays for me meant thoughts of the macabre -- ageing equals inching ever closer to death, less and less time to accomplish things on my to-do list. After taking up running, moving up the age-bracket now means better chances of qualifying for the Boston Marathon. When it comes to running and aging, I look up to Constantina Dita, who at 38 so unexpectedly won the Olympic women’s marathon in Beijing making her not just the oldest Olympic marathon champion ever, male or female, but the oldest Olympic marathon medalist.

Although the lines around my eyes and the uneven skintone on my face betray the real age of my world-weary heart, I run around the wet track like a 20-year-old college girl -- strong, free, pretty in my short running skirt and more importantly, ever hopeful of getting faster and stronger to run the dream races on my list.

Photo Credit: Purrl J. Tan

Whether on the road or on the track, running is truly the best part of any day – birthday or not. If there’s one thing I’ve learned in all this time I’ve spent on the road it is that unlike love, running and cooking are two of the very few things in life where genuine effort is truly directly proportional to success and personal reward. Know the recipe by heart, don’t scrimp on ingredients and add a healthy dash of zeal, then you can whip up any dish like a pro. Run smart, train diligently and watch what you eat and drink – and I guarantee you you’ll become a better runner. If only, the rest of the real world could be that simple and easy.

Crossing over

Do runners make good race directors and organizers?

This was the question that hounded me as I chose which races to run for the summer while recovering from the BDM. Even if you’re not in recovery, you just can’t race every weekend you know. It disrupts your training schedule and it’s expensive. Just seven months ago, you could race for only P150.00. Those days are gone, and they’re not coming back.

These days when a race can set you back by no less than P250.00 you have to choose well. It’s as crucial as making the right song choice in American Idol. You have to ponder which race will most likely deliver on the four basics of a good race – accurate race course measurement, well-stocked water and aid stations, safety, and accurate timekeeping.

(Run to the Clouds Finishline at Zipline)

(Forum members www.sugbutriathlon.com)

The summer race calendar featured three big runs all organized and managed by runners – Run to the Clouds by members of Sugbutriathlon.com; Citi Run by Joe Franz Canizares and Waterfront Hotel; and Pinay in Action by Kenneth Casquejo and Annie Neric with their newly formed company Run Check.

(Citi Run March 21, 2010)

All three races delivered, providing a calling card of sorts for these three budding race directors and managers. Annie Neric said it best – “Kasi naman palagi tayong nagrereklamo sa ibang races na nasalihan natin. Sa dami nang nasalihan natin both good and bad, we know first hand what a good race should be.”

(L-R Marathon Foodie, Sen. Pia Cayetano, Annie Neric, Jane-Jane Ong)

But running and organizing a race can have so many variables that even the best race director and manager cannot control – lack of corporate sponsorship, red tape at the local government and profit-taking orientation of some race organizers who are all-too willing to collect fees but are unwilling to spend money on sufficient hydration and proper race marshaling.

(Pinay In Action Visayas Leg)

Still, these variables are no excuse for shabby race management. That’s why one perfect race is not enough. Now that the boys and girls of Sugbutri as well as Joe Franz, Kenneth and Annie have shown that they can be very good race directors, the next challenge for them now would be consistency. They must show willingness to stand-up for the runners who pay good money to join races and not compromise on the basics.

As runners, we can help improve the quality of race management in Cebu by providing feedback. Visit blogs that do race reviews and leave a comment. If you have Facebook, interact with runners at Cebu Running, Cebu Runners or go to the Sugbu Triathlon website. And if feedback seem to fall on deaf ears, you can always skip the races run by those who consistently fall short of our basic expectations. As runners, we have the power to choose.

PACERS

For the first time since the running boom hit Cebu , a local race will have pacers to help runners hit their target finish time. What are they?

Pacers are experienced runners and marathoners tasked with keeping other runners on pace and if possible do even splits, which means no racing out at the beginning only to fade away at the end. They will encourage, motivate, cajole and if necessary, threaten the runners in the group to keep up and cross the finish line.

Pacers don’t get paid to run as pacers. It’s their way of giving back and paying it forward helping runners reach their target finish time.

At the Great Lapu-Lapu Run, the 21-K runners will have two pace groups – those with target finish time of 2:00 to 2:15 led by Kenneth Casquejo and 2:16 to 2:30 group led by James Michael Go. You won’t miss them. They will be running with balloons. I only wish they had narrowed the range to ten minutes instead of fifteen and with more pace options at the sub two-hour range.

Speaking of targets, I’m hoping to set a new personal record and finish in 2:15 or better. The last time I raced 21K was in July last year at the Cebu elimination of the Milo marathon making it in 2:25.

To all runners joining the Great Lapu-Lapu Run on Sunday, especially the 21K virgins, good luck, race well and seize the road!

front RUNNER

I first heard about front RUNNER magazine from the Editor-In-Chief himself ultra runner Jonel Mendoza during the Cebu City Marathon last January. It is the first and only Filipino full-sized magazine dedicated solely to the great sport of running -- by runners for runners.

The maiden issue featured Vertek Buenavista (2009 Sea Games Marathon gold medalist) on the cover. I got five copies, three of which I gave out to friends and newbie runners (including Maayong Buntag Kapamilya host and TVPCV senior correspondent Vilma Andales shown above) who wanted to learn more about running and how to do it right. The other two copies are with me. One I've read from cover to cover, the other still in plastic -- running memorabilia for 50 years hence. =)

The March-April issue of front RUNNER is extra special for the Marathon Foodie not just because I'm in it, but because it highlights Cebu as runner's haven. It has an excellent piece written by Cebu Running's main man Max Limpag on the best places to run in Cebu. It also features the 3-1 running method by heart surgeon and marathoner Dr. Peter Mancao, which helped virgin marathoners finish 42.195 kilometers in good form and injury free. The article is written by James Abilla, owner of the Cebu-based "St. James" bottled water company. It also has a glowing review of the Cebu City marathon. All in all front RUNNER dedicated 13 pages and 21 photographs (in full color) to Cebu, the CCM and Cebuano runners.

But the main reason why I like this magazine is it talks about running from the perspective of runners -minus the fluff. It has articles that are actually useful to newbies and veterans alike. Best of all the articles do not employ subliminal marketing, which I find distasteful. You know the kind that gives advice to newbies but is actually pushing a product.

Let's support front RUNNER by getting our own copies at Fully Booked, National Book Store and Book Sale outlets.

"Leave your old self behind"

Running in March

The race calendar for the month of March provides the most varied choices for runners in terms of route, course distance and degree of difficulty. Except for March 14, when all the world will stand still to watch the Manny Pacquiao vs. Joshua Clottey fight, runners will be kept busy with one road race every Sunday of March.

Quota International 12 K Classic

This run organized by the Quota International Cebu South and directed by Raffy Uytiepo will start and end at The Terraces in Ayala. To cover the 12K distance, runners will traverse San Jose Dela Montana, Salinas Drive, Gorordo Avenue, Escario Street, Capitol, Fuente, B. Rodriguez Street (Espina Village) then down to Osmena Boulevard where runners will turn around at corner R.R. Landon Street on the way back to Cebu Business Park via Gen. Maxilom Avenue and Gorordo Avenue.

This route has been done countless times before. In fact, the route is so familiar that runners can run this route “with their eyes closed” and still know where the exact point the road will rise in Escario St. and Mango Avenue. Race director Raffy Uytiepo increased the distances in order to challenge runners used to the usual 5K and 10K runs.

Run to the Clouds

(Click poster to enlarge)

But if you’re really up for a new challenge and willing to run more than the usual and defy your limits, then Run to the Clouds, which will be held on March 21 at 6 AM may just be the kind of road race you’re looking for.

This race organized by Sugbu Triathlon promises to be "doable enough for beginners and challenging enough for seasoned runners". This 8KM foot race will start at the foot of Nivel Hills just outside The Outpost and end at the Zipline in Barangay Malubog. It’s never been done before, so it may be a bit daunting at first, but I promise you, it really gets better as you go up towards the finish line.

The first-time the Marathon Foodie road-tested the Run to the Clouds race route I made the mistake of running the first 2K at my usual 10K road racing pace of 6 minutes per kilometer. By the time I reached KM 5, I was only brisk walking and could not run up the hills. On my second attempt, I figured that the key to finishing the Run to the Clouds route is to start slowly. Think negative split. Brisk-walk the first two kilometers in Nivel Hills and two of the steepest inclines at Château de Busay and La Tegola.

But boy oh boy there’s nothing like running in Busay. The spectacular birds-eye view of Metro Cebu on your right and the rolling hills covered with rows and rows of cut-flowers towards your left side are the real rewards for braving this race route. Plus, it is never hot and humid up there even if you’re running way past seven in the morning. The cool mountain air will make you say -- “El Nino who?”.

After the race, all registered runners will be treated to a bowl of Arroz Caldo. A shuttle bus will make multiple trips and take the runners back to J.Y. Square.

For more details and to view the race route interactive map visit www.sugbutriathlon.com.

Citi Run
(Click poster to enlarge)

With 4KM, 6KM and 12KM as race distances I’ve fondly nicknamed Citi Run as the B-Complex vitamins run. The race route is very similar to the Quota International 12K challenge, except that this race will start and end at the Waterfront Hotel in Lahug.

I’ve really high expectations from the organizers of this run simply because it’s organized by Waterfront Hotel and Citigym, which is the only 24/7 gym in Cebu. To boost the fun factor of this race (as if running isn’t fun enough) post-race activities include raffle, games, and photo sessions at the Citi Run photo wall.

Citi Run is directed by Joel Baring.

Runners' Central

Registration for all these races is on-going at Runnr in Ayala Center Cebu. You can pick one out of the three or even run all three of them, just make sure to make course-specific training.

Rules

By this time, you must have heard about the disqualification of local Kenyan star Simon Losiaboi from winning the top prize during last Sunday’s Rotary Run. I fully support the organizers adherence to the IAAF (International Association of Athletics Federation) Competition Rules in settling disputes like this, even if the race was not exactly IAAF sanctioned and even if it was primarily a fun run. Adherence to rules ensures orderliness even in running a fun run. And these rules are not merely for elite runners like Simon. Defying these rules have consequences even for ordinary running mortals like us. What are they? That’s for another column, another day. In the meantime, set your running goals, train well and run injury free.

Seize the road!