We should start calling it the Cebu City INTERNATIONAL Marathon

What do Yong and Donna Larazzabal, Haide Acuna, John Pages, Raffy Uytiepo, Dr. Vic Verallo and Joel Garganera have in common? All have ventured to other Cities in Asia or the World to run a Marathon. Why? The Experience.

Why do we have to travel such distances to run a race when we can do it right here in Cebu City? Yes. An international race here in Cebu. The Cebu City Marathon (CCM).

The Cebu Executive Runners Club (CERC) have been preparing an international race here in Cebu City and will happen in just a few weeks. On January 10, 2010 Cebuano runners will experience the thrill of running an international race in our very own playground.

All preparations for the race are world class. The CCM is the first race outside Manila to use timing chips for accurate finish times. The singlets have also improved since last year and they feel like Nike DriFit shirts. The design is really good although we can't do anything about the black and yellow combination. Sinulog standards I guess. 

Not only will the excitement start on race day but the organizers have prepared a Pre-Race Marathon Expo for claiming singlets and a showcase of sponsors like Globe, Mizuno, Summit and TImex. The Expo will be held at the recently opened Ayala Center Active Zone from January 6 - 9 during mall hours. A carbo-loading party is scheduled on January 8, 2010 6:00 PM at the Ayala Center Terraces to accomodate the expected high turnout. Pasta and other fuel sources from our sponsors will be served to all guests and participants.

On race day, the Start/Finish line will be positioned across I.T. Park's The Walk and will showcase bands and other forms of entertainment. To make it more festive, CERC has arranged entertainment to extend to all water stations along the entire route. We also made arrangements with CITOM to close half of the street along the entire route. Runners will be free to run inside the barricade with no threats of vehicular accidents. Only registered runners are authorized to use the protected area thus unregistered runners (otherwise known as BANDITS) as well as bicycle or motorcycle supports are also prohibited. Almost 500 CCM Marshals will control traffic inside the barricade while CITOM officers control traffic outside. Water and other isotonic fluids are provided every 1.5Km and some hydration stations will have bananas for electrolyte replacement. The route is also made special when Cebu City officials approved the use of the South Reclamation Project (SRP) road which is normally inaccessible to runners. Sunrise will be breathtaking as it bestows runners during the early part of the race. After the SRP leg, the route will then take the runners along the busy streets of Cebu City. A Finishers medal will then greet the 42K Finishers as they cross the final checkpoint of the Race. At the Finish line, runners will enjoy live entertainment situated in front of the last few meters of the route. Food stalls from sponsors are also available at the finish line as runners need to replenish lost fluids and energy from the race. Slow runners need not worry about the traffic as roads will remain closed until 9:30 AM. NO TIME LIMIT is imposed thus all runners will be allowed to finish the race.

Registration is open at Ayala Center Cebu Active Zone and at PSC Abellana Sports Complex. Out of town participants may register at THIRSTY Stalls in Bacolod City and Cagayan de Oro City while runners from Luzon may register at RUNNR in Bonifacio High Street. Registration fees are pricier than usual since participants will receive a DriFit singlet, high quality Race Bib, ChampionChip Timing Chip and other freebies. Invite your friends and share the experience of being part of Cebu City's biggest running event.

To finish an International Marathon is every runners Dream. A dream brought closer to us thanks to the Cebu Executive Runners Club and the Cebu City Government. Support Cebu City. Run the Cebu City Marathon. Ato ni Bai!!!

Published Sunstar Cebu "On the Road" December 17, 2009.