Century Properties backs first Cebu Ultramarathon

AS the day for Cebu’s first ultramarathon draws near, organizers are busy putting the final touches to the race route of The Century Properties Ultramarathon 2011 which unfolds on Nov. 19 in Bogo City, Cebu and ends at the Plaza Independencia for a total of 100 kilometers.

First dubbed as the Cebu Century Challenge at its inception last year, it now carries the The Century Properties Ultramarathon title after the Century Properties Group partnered with Frontrunner Magazine in realizing the run.

Maria Theresa Fucanan-Yu, AVP for Corporate Communications of the Century Properties Group, said that when they heard that Frontrunner Magazine was organizing the event, they jumped at the chance of being a major partner.

“We have been trying to find ways on how we can actively support the cause of Pasig river and at the same time bring forth the message of preserving all waterways in the Philippines,” said Yu, adding that the 2-leg marathon was the perfect venue for their advocacy.

The second leg will be in Davao on Dec. 10 and will have marathoners negotiating Davao City to Tagum.

Frontrunner Magazine’s Jonel Mendoza said that they will be offering a P1,000 discount from the P2,500 registration fee for the Mindanao leg for those who will be joining both races.

Registration fee for the Cebu leg is P2,500 inclusive of a dri-fit race shirt, race hat, sling bag, a personalized finisher’s shirt and specially crafted medals.

Cebu participants may register at the Runnr Store in Ayala Mall.

Organizers are expecting at least 100 runners to take part in both legs to ensure a P600,000 donation by the Century Properties Group to ABS-CBN Foundation’s Kapit Bisig Para sa Ilog Pasig. The real estate firm will also send a contingent to the Run for Pasig River on Nov. 20 wherein P400,000 will be generated to reach the target P1 million donation.

Mendoza, however, clarified that they are not limiting the number of runners to 100.

Registration will end on Oct. 31.

For a runner to join the ultramarathon he/she must have finished at least one full marathon and must be at least 18 years of age.

The race course is plotted by Cebuana ultramarathoner and CDN sports columnist lawyer Haide Acuna and Dr. Manlawi.

The race will start at 12:01 a.m. of Nov. 19 at the old Bogo City Hall. It will have an 18-hour cut-off time which means that to be considered as an official finisher, participants must reach the finish line on or before 6:01 p.m. The midnight start means that head lamps will be required of each participant.

Mendoza said that they are also setting a 9-hour cut-off at Kilometer 50 in Catmon. An aid station can be found every 10 kilometers.

The Carbo Loading Party and distribution of race packets will be on Nov. 17 with the venue and time still to be announced.

The race is sanctioned by the Philippine Association of UltraRunners which makes it a qualifying race for the Bataan Death March 160. /correspondent Mars G. Alison