PhilHealth Run to kick off simultaneously in 18 cities

EIGHTEEN cities, including Cebu, will simultaneously host the PhilHealth Run 2013: Nationwide Run for Mother and Child Protection this Sunday.

In Cebu, the race, which will have 3-kilometer, 5k, 10k and 18k categories, will start at the Sumilon Road at the Cebu Business Park. The race starts at 5 a.m.

Joel Baring, the race director of the Cebu leg, said more than 2,000 runners have already enlisted for the race, which is held in line with the 18th anniversary celebration of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp.

Other key cities that will be holding the race are Manila, Baguio, Dagupan, Tuguegarao, Clark, Malolos, Laguna, Batangas, Legazpi, Iloilo, Tacloban, Zamboanga, Cagayan de Oro, Davao, Koronadal, Marawi and Butuan. Organizers are targeting a total of 90,000 runners in 18 cities.

The event’s regional beneficiary is the Gift of Life Project of the Rotary Club of Cebu District 3860, which helps children with congenital heart disease. Its national beneficiary is the Philippine Children’s Medical Center, which caters to children with cancer. /CORRESPONDENTS DALE G. ROSAL and Tweeny M. Malinao