One of the biggest running events in the country, the Run United of the United Laboratories (Unilab) will hit Cebu’s major streets on Dec. 18 starting at the Asia Town IT Park, in Lahug.
Cebu City will serve as the sixth and final leg of the nationwide running series which attracted 54,000 runners for the past two years.
The event will feature 500-meter, 3-kilometer, 5k, 10k and 21k categories. Rio Dela Cruz of RunRio Promotions will handle the technical side of the race.
“We want to influence families to embrace the active and healthy lifestyle and we want also to dedicate UNILAB to healthy lifestyle in multiple platforms,” said Lester Castillo, the Sports and Marketing executive of UNILAB during yesterday’s race launching at the Grand Convention’s Grand Majestic restaurant attended by RunRio’s Lowella May Magro, Rommel Ballester, RunCheck’s Kenneth Casquejo and Ricky Ballesteros of the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC).
In its first visit to the provinces this year, Castillo said his team is hoping to draw around 5,000 runners from each city that the race will be held. Run United have already visited Davao, Manila where 16,000 runners joined and Ilo-Ilo last October which drew 5,000 racers. Up next will be Cagayan de Oro, Baguio and finally Cebu.
Aside from running, UNILAB has also ventured into triathlon and cycling.
The RunRio team will also use a separate timing chip for each category to come up with accurate and fast results.
Registration will run from Oct. 31 to Dec. 11 at the RUNNR Ayala Center Cebu, CCSC and at Toby’s Sports in SM Center Cebu.
Registration fee for the 21k category is P500 inclusive of the New Balance singlet, race bib, timing chip, freebies and refreshments. The other registration fees are P400 for 10k, P350 for 5k, P300 for 3k and P200 for the 500m dash for kids.
A specially designed finishers shirt and bags of goodies will be given to all 21k finishers. Castillo said there will be no cut-off time for the 21k but Ballesteros revealed that they will be sweeping out very slow runners to prevent traffic congestion.
A total of 13 water stations will be deployed along the race route while bananas and sponges will be given to 21k runners.
Cash prizes will be given to the top three finishers in all categories.