Running in Cebu is definitely back, all systems go for half a marathon on April 24

MINERVA BC NEWMAN

CEBU CITY— All systems go for the RC Goldline’s Half a Marathon Recovery Run on Sunday, April 24 at the Cebu Business Park, the first actual run in the province in over two years with lots of exciting prizes up for grabs, in partnership with the Philippine Retailers Association (PRA)-Cebu Chapter.

“Running in Cebu is definitely back with our ardent desire to help breathe life back into the Cebu economy. As we all know, we're now in Alert Level 1 status wherein government restrictions have been eased out already. The situation is slowly getting back to normal and I believe this is one effective way to encourage people to go out," said RC Goldline President Christian Paro-an, who is also the incoming president of the PRA-Cebu Chapter.

Paro-an said, in a press conference Monday, April 12, the run is for our health and for the economy of Cebu. Business has not been good the past years. Like everyone else, Cebu had been badly hit by the pandemic plus the devastation of typhoon Odette. It's high time for Cebu to recover, Paro-an added.

The Recovery Run is also supported by the Metro Cebu Uptown Jaycees and it features the 3K, 6K, 12K and 21K distances.  Over P30,000 in cash prize will be given to the winners in the 12K and 21K categories only.  The top three male and female finishers in the 12K will pocket P1,500, P1,200 and P1,000 respectively while the top three in the 21K will take home P3,000, P2,500 and P2,000.

Run organizers said that getting the permit and other coordination with government agencies are the most challenging tasks to do, maybe because this is the very first run after two years of hiatus with the pandemic.

“We’re making sure that all health and safety protocols are strictly followed including the implementation of the ‘no vaccine, no run’ policy. It warms our hearts that so many runners want to join and we’re expecting a thousand, maybe more due to the election season and people just want to go out and run,” Race Director, Joel Juarez said.

Registration fee is at P350 for the 3K; P500 for the 6K, P600 for the 12K; and P700 for the 21K inclusive of a souvenir shirt, race bib, finisher's medal and certificate, post-race refreshments and a chance to win exciting prizes in the raffle draw.

For registration and further information, one may visit RUNNR at Ayala Center Cebu.