4th leg of Run for Bebe to include 21k division
Chong Hua Hospital’s Hemacology-Oncology Unit will hold the fourth installment of its Run For Bebe on April 15 starting at the Parkmall in Mandaue City.
The race will now offer a longer 21-kilometer category aside from the usual 12k, 6k and 3k distances. Also, a 200-meter and 400-m dash will be offered.
“We extended the distance to 21k because we want to cater runners’ demands and because shorter distances are not that marketable,” said Naomi Fajardo of Chong Hua Hospital’s Hemacology-Oncology Unit during yesterday’s official launching of the race at the Parkmall.
She was joined yesterday by race director Joel Baring, Parkmall’s marketing manager Judith Sellner and events specialist Renee Rolette Tan.
As a sign for support for the race, Parkmall has decided to allow the use of its mall grounds for free.
The event’s maiden beneficiary Bebe Arceo, whose name was the basis of the race’s title, is expected to attend the run and will fire the starting gun.
Arceo is a survivor of cancer because of the help she got from the running event.
“She is very healthy right now. She is cancer free and she is helping us in our unit. We are very thankful to those who joined the running event,” said Fajardo.
Fajardo also said they are planning to have six beneficiaries aged seven to 15 years for this year’s running event, all suffering from leukemia and hudgekins lumphoma.
“All of the proceeds will be given to them to continue their needed medication,” said Fajardo.
KENYANS IN 21K ONLY
Meanwhile, Fajardo and Baring decided to let foreign nationals, particularly Kenyan runners, to compete only in the 21k category to local runners a chance in shorter distances.
Most local runners in Cebu make their income by joining races. But since the Kenyans rule every category they join, locals have lost their source of income.
Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three in each category together with medals, certificates and Timex IronMan watches.
Registration can be done at the RUNNR Ayala Center Cebu and at the Chong Hua Hospital’s Hemacology-Oncology Unit.
