CERC: A BETTER CEBU MARATHON AWAITS

With CERC at the organizing helm, participants expect a better event this year Organizers to bring back lechon and hefty loot bags, raffle prizes that Cebu Marathon has been known for

A better Cebu Marathon awaits the runners and fitness buffs with the return of Cebu Executive Runners Club (CERC) as the chief organizer of the annual running event.

The run, now on its 11th year, is set on Jan. 14 at the Cebu Business Park. CERC is back to handling the event after the Manila-based Runrio handled it for the past four years.

Kenneth Casquejo, the president of CERC, told SunStar Cebu that Cebu Province has partnered with the event for the first time and it will be providing the food and the logistical support.

“There will be no complaints about the food anymore,” said Casquejo, referring to the feedback on the last year’s edition.

A lechon (roast pig) will be served along the route for the 42K runners. A beer is also available at the finish line for the mar- athoners. “The last time we had lechon on the route was back in 2013. We’re bringing back it this year,” he said.

Aside from food, all the runners will also receive loot bag that’s is full of goodies. There will be giveaways and items to be raffled away from the event’s sponsors.

“I think this edition has the most sponsors. We have about 25 to 30 private companies including the international brands New Balance and 2XU,” said Casquejo.

There will be a total of 18 water stations along the route and all of these will be manned by different volunteer groups.

“We can see the sense of voluntarism is back. There are a lot of groups and companies who volunteered to man the water stations. Also, there will be an additional entertainments,” he said.

Casquejo said that there will be a free massage and entertainers on the route to keep the runners alive especially on the latter part of the marathon.

The 11th Cebu Marathon has attracted around 5,000 participants from more than 20 countries.

The race features 42-kilometer, 21K, 10K and 5K categories. The 21K had the most number of participants with 2,000 runners followed by 42K with 1,800 participants.

Casquejo said that number of participants in the 21K is a new record for the event. Last year, the 21K category only had around 1,300 registrants.

On the other hand, there will be 200 grassroots kids from Cebu Province and 100 grassroots kids from Cebu City who will join the 5-kilometer race. The slots were given for free by the organizers.

“Cebu City and Cebu Province are helping and supporting us with this event and in return we’re also supporting its grassroots sports program,” he said.

The 11th Cebu Marathon is one of the activities of the Sinulog Festival.