1st all-women ultra marathon set
The newly formed Cebu Ultra Runners Club (CUC) and the Ungo Runners Club will hold the first ever All-Women Ultra Marathon 50k race on March 10, 2012 covering three cities in Cebu.
The race will be the first ultra marathon of the year and the first all-female ultra marathon in the country. It is held to highlight the celebration of the annual “International Women’s Month.”
Race organizers Joel Garganera, Ayala Center Cebu’s general manager Joy Polloso, Michelle So and the CUC, said most of the running clubs here in Cebu pledged to give their full support to the race.
Running clubs such as the Talisay City Runners Club, Bohol Ultrarunners, Runro Club, Parklane, Cebu Striders, Ramsey RC and Atan Guardo have pledged to deploy one hydration station every 5k along the route.
“We made this running event exclusive for women not just because of the international women’s month but also to showcase women empowerment,” said Polloso during yesterday’s official race launch at the Linea Restaurant at the Cebu IT Park.
100 RUNNERS EYED
Around a hundred female ultra marathoners are expected to sign up for the race which will start at 10 p.m. at the Active Zone of Ayala Center Cebu and will have a 10 hour cut off time.
Runners will head up to Busay, turn at the Mr. A’s restaurant, go down to the Cebu Provincial Capitol, head straight to Fuente Osmena, Imus Road going to MJ Cuenco Avenue, proceed to Foodland area all the way to Lilo-an’s Cansaga Bridge, head straight to the Marcelo Fernan Bridge and end at the Rendevouz Beach Resort in Mactan.
Meanwhile, organizers will only accept registrants who have finished at least a 21-kilometer event. And since the run will start at night, participants are required to bring head lamps, enough illumination and whistle during the run.
While most entries are from the CUC and Ungo Runners, organizers revealed that female ultra runners from Manila, Davao and neighboring towns and cities are also expected to enlist.
CUC chose to have the event’s finish line in Lapu-Lapu City because of its strong support to CUC’s sports tourism program. According to So, the Lapu-Lapu City government will prepare a breakfast buffet for race finishers.
A specially crafted medal, a finisher’s shirt, a loot bag and the bragging rights await all finishers.
Registration fee is pegged at P700 while late enlistees will pay P900 inclusive of race bib, jersey and entrance to the carbo-loading party two days before the event. To register, visit the Clinica Melgar in room 205 of the Dona Luisa Building in Fuente Osmena and Onze Resto Bar in Capitol.
To add excitement to the race, the top three finishers will be given a uniquely-designed sash and scepter.
A running clinic to be held every Friday in the Active Zone of the Ayala Center Cebu will feature popular female ultra runners who will give tips and techniques to the participating runners of the ultra marathon.
