LAPU-LAPU City Sports and Tourism chairman Harry Radaza begins his bid to promote running in the barangay level when he hosts the Health Run 2011 on Aug. 6.
Radaza, along with the Lapu-Lapu City Government, has long planned to give the masses a chance in running.
“I came up with the idea to give those who cannot afford, especially the people who do not know the good effects of running, a chance to take part in races,” Radaza said during the launching yesterday at the Pino Filipino Restaurant in barangay Lahug, Cebu City.
The running event is free for Lapu-Lapu residents only. An optional registration fee for membership is pegged at P200, inclusive of a singlet and a wrist band with the number code placed on it.
One of Radaza’s objectives is also to discover potential runners from Lapu-Lapu City.
The upcoming race, the first of nine scheduled legs, will start at barangay Mactan. The first three legs of the running event will offer shorter distances. It will have 1.5-,3- and 5-kilometer distances. The fourth to sixth legs will have 2k, 4k and 6.48k distances while the next two legs will have 3k, 6.48k and 8k races.
The final leg on Nov. 19 will feature 3k, 6.48k and 10k distances.
Winners in the first eight legs will compete for the overall crown in the final leg.
Radaza promised to focus on the development of the winners of the final leg and hopefully pit them against the best runners in the future.
Registration for the race is done at the Lapu-Lapu City Hall. /CORRESPONDENT DALE G. ROSAL