Cebu Marathon 2013 blasts off

An estimated 3,000 runners will traverse Cebu City’s historic landmarks as the Cebu Marathon 2013 kicks off today from the Cebu IT Park.

Cebu Executive Runners Club (CERC) welcomed the participants in last Friday’s carbo-loading party at the Terraces, Ayala Center Cebu and advised every runner to enjoy and feel the Sinulog atmosphere in the city.

Among the landmarks that will be passed by will be the Cebu Provincial Capitol building, Osmeña Boulevard, Colon Street, Basilica Minore del Santo Niño, Cebu City Hall, Magellan’s Cross, Plaza Independencia and the South Road Properties.

“Cebu Marathon has three things that makes it unique and very different from  other marathons,” said organizer John Pages last Friday. “First, it’s the month. We all know that this running event is held a week before the grand Sinulog Festival, which makes it very lively and colorful. Second is our island. Cebu has a very rich historical background. Third, the people. We  Cebuanos always give visitors a warm welcome and our voluntarism is very outstanding.”

COOL RUNNING

Participants will expect a cool atmosphere today according to CERC member Kenneth Casquejo with regards to the weather forecast. Casquejo said that there is even a possibility of rain.

Instead of worrying, Casquejo, Pages and the rest of CERC members said this would be good for the runners because it will protect them from the heat of the sun.

Around 1,050 runners will be joining the 42k race while 800 are listed in the 21k. The rest of the participants will be  in the 5k.

The South Road Properties will not be totally closed today. Motorists can enter the Mambaling junction leading to Talisay as the organizers decided to use the seaside area of SRP for the runners of the 42k and 21k categories.

Private companies and groups contributed food and water along the route’s aide stations. Pages also said that bands, music and entertainment will be stationed along the route for the runners.

Assembly time is 3 a.m. The 42k race fires off at 4 a.m. to followed by the shorter distance races.