Cebu’s top boxers set to join G.O.O.D Run on March 18

Two-division world champion Donnie “Ahas” Nietes, undefeated WBO Intercontinental flyweight champion Milan “El Metodico” Melindo and WBO Asia Pacific bantamweight champion Aj “Bazooka” Banal are among the noted personalities who will join the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE)-Philippines’ Goiter, Obesity, Osteoporosis and Diabetes (G.O.O.D) Run on March 18 at the Terraces, Ayala Center Cebu.

The AACE has a group of doctors specializing in endocrinology in the country who are actively spreading awareness about the four major diseases mentioned in the running event’s title.

Melindo who successfully defended his WBO intercontinental flyweight belt against Mexican Juan Esquer last Saturday will join in the 12k race along with Nietes while Banal will join the shorter 6k category since he is preparing for a major title fight on March 23.

The G.O.O.D Run which started in Metro Manila last year was brought to Cebu by AACE’s president Dr. Gerry Tan who is a Cebuano.

“I decided to take not just this running event here in Cebu but also our advocacy projects so that we can also help Cebuanos in our bid to prevent these diseases,” Tan said during yesterday’s official race launching at the Linea Restaurant in the Cebu IT Park.

Veteran race director Joel Baring of Sports and Fitness Enthusiasts (SAFE) will handle the Cebu race.

The AACE is a professional medical organization with more than 6,000 members in the US and in 84 countries. It was founded in 1991.

The run will also feature a 1k race for patients who has one of the four diseases mentioned as well as 3k, 6k, 12k and 21k divisions.

FREE MEDICAL CHECK-UP

Aside from the running event, organizers will also put up a free medical check-up for runners and non-participants after the race. The participants will also have a free patient education program to be done by AACE members.

Some 3,000 runners are expected to join the race after the AACE visited Cebu schools to initiate their program called “Power of Prevention Through Fitness and Nutrition” (POPTFN).

The 21k champion both male and female will receive P10,00 each, second placers will get P7,000 while third placers will pocket P5,000. The top three placers in the 12k will bring home P5,000, P3,000 and P2,000 respectively while the first three runners in the 6k will earn P3,000, P2,000 and P1,000 respectively.

Registration fee is P150 in all categories while patients with G.O.O.D will pay only P100 inclusive of the race shirt, bib, map and snacks.

To register, call AACE at 234-2620 and 2538335.

Among AACE’s other activities for the year are the annual 6th Meeting and Clinical Congress and the 4th Joint International Meeting on August 9-12 at the Shangri-La Mactan.