‘PAMPERING WOMEN FOR 50 KILOMETERS’
300 runners sign up for sixth edition of 50K All-Women Ultramarathon Race crews hope to pamper the participants with unique water stations Organizers ban runners from using plastic, to help save environment
The female road warriors will once again grace the streets of Cebu in the 6th All-Women’s Ultramarathon on March 11 at the Il Corso Grounds, South Road Properties in Cebu City.
The 50-kilometer race exclusive to women has 300 runners from Cebu, Bacolod, Leyte, Negros and Manila.
“When the ultra marathon was first introduced to Cebu, most of the participants were men and the women were the support crew. As our payback for their help, we decided to volunteer for Awum in 2012. Now on our sixth year, the goal is the same, which is to give them a quality race on Women’s Month,” said Cebu City Councilor Joel Garganera during the press conference yesterday.
Garganera added that 25 running clubs in Cebu are united in the event as they pledged to volunteer; every club will have their own station.
“This run is like a festival in the running community because runners are together to pamper the women. Different stations will be put up on the route, it will be up to the running club. The famous stations are the make-up, massage and breastfeeding stations,” said Tony Galon.
Lulu Valiente said that the event is an eco-friendly race as they require the runners to bring hydration bottles to avoid using plastics.
“If you’re caught violating the rules (by using plastic bottles) you will be penalized with disqualification,” added Galon.
Dr. Humility Igaña assured the participants of a quality race and that’s the reason they limited the number of registrants.
The 300 slots in Awum were sold out in less than 10 minutes last January. It eclipsed the event’s previous record, which was 250 slots in 26 minutes last year.
It will be the first time that the race will have the same start and finish line. This year, the event organizers partnered again with Il Corso Grounds.
“We’re happy to welcome AWUM. Last year, Il Corso was the finish line but for this year it will be the venue for both finish and start. We partnered with them as part of the company’s vision for a recreational lifestyle,” said George Calles, Filinvest’s marketing department manager.
Among the participants this year are defending champion Preciosa Sanchez and former champions Sandra Soliano and Jade Abellana.