Cebu will be hosting Ironkids and Ironman competitions this weekend!

‘Cebu’s ambassadors’

On Sunday, the streets from Lapu-Lapu all the way to Talisay City will be filled by more than 1,600 of the Cobra Ironman 70.3 and organizers expect the crowd to lineup the streets as well.

“We expect the crowd to cheer with genuine enthusiasm and use positive and kind words,” said race director Guy Concepcion, who added the locals will serve as the ambassadors of Cebu and should be in their best behavior.

“It’s best for public to watch along Punta Engaño road during the run because they can have a clear sight of participants. especially celebrities,” said Rodriguez. 

Local fixtures Piolo Pascual, Matteo Guidecelli, Erwann Heusaff, Kim Atienza, Senator Pia Cayetano, Gilbert Remulla, Drew Arellano and Jennylyn Mercado will also be attending.

 http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/sports/2012/08/02/cebu-s-ambassadors-235417

Cebu’s young triathletes ready for Ironkids

Some of Cebu’s young triathletes are geared up for this Saturday’s Alaska Ironkids Triathlon at the Shangri-la Mactan Resort and Spa. 

This will be a tough race for the young participants because this will be the first time that the swim leg will be held in open water. 

Alaska IronKids is the junior counterpart of the world-renowned triathlon event IronMan.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/sports/2012/08/02/cebu-s-young-triathletes-ready-ironkids-235416

Smart to field team in Ironman

For the first time, wireless services leader Smart Communications Inc. is sending a delegation to the IronMan 70.3. 

Fifteen Smart employees, all members of the company’s newly formed Triathlon Club, have been participating in swim-bike-run simulations since May to prepare for the event.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/sports/2012/08/02/smart-field-team-ironman-235413

Fitness-related News: Forget prizes, just run; Bitbit's Triathlon Dream; and Rochelle Tan's Ironman Bid in Jeopardy

Forget prizes, just run 

Run for Sight Foundation’s Dr. Peter Mancao, a veteran runner who has joined the New York Marathon, said some people have forgotten the main purpose of running, which is to adapt a healthy lifestyle.

“The main reason why we introduced running is to encourage people to run, give them an avenue to do a road run every Sunday so that they can compare their performance every weekend,” said Mancao.

 “Karon nag focus na ang mga tawo sa cash prize and usahay mureklamo pa gyud ngano gamay ra,” he said.

Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/sports/2012/07/11/forget-prizes-just-run-231434


 Trauma hampers Bitbit’s triathlon dream

Former Southeast Asian Games mountainbike gold medalist turned duathlete Marites Bitbit is still fighting over her swimming phobia after her near-drowning experience more than 30 years ago in a lake in Baguio City.

The childhood experience hinders her interest to join the 2012 2nd Sogod Mayor Moonyeen Durano Triahtlon Cup this Saturday at the Alegre Beach Resort,Sogod,Cebu.

Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/sports/2012/07/11/trauma-hampers-bitbit-s-triathlon-dream-231432


Ironman Bid in Jeopardy

Philippine Under 23 team member Rochelle Tan of Cebu’s chances of securing one of the three top spots in the upcoming Cobra Energy Drink Ironman 70.3 Philippines are starting to blur after the up -and-comer injured herself in the Rebel Trails Duathlon at the Danao Adventure Park in Danao, Bohol.

Source: http://50.28.66.118/cebu/sports/2012/07/09/ironman-bid-jeopardy-231046

Photo Source: http://reelrunning.blogspot.com/2010/10/team-reborn-conquers-columbia.html

Increased Fees Reason for Fewer Races in Cebu City?

Writer, John Pages, explores questions regarding the new running ordinance in Cebu that increased the permit fees from P1,800 to P7,000 for races with 10k distances and P15,000 for half-marathons. 

 "Since the new ordinance was implemented in February, fewer runs are being organized in Cebu City. Many have moved to Talisay or Lapu-Lapu or Mandaue.

While I agree with the one-race-a-day policy (though organizers can still hold simultaneous events in other cities), there are plenty of questions to ask:

Where does the P15,000 payment go? Does it help the run? Or does it help the city run these events?

This amount (for the 21K) excludes the thousands (for overtime pay) that must be paid to Citom. This amount, if I’m not mistaken, will not even go to the personnel of the Department of Public Services because, according to the new rule, the organizers themselves have to clean all the garbage. 

No doubt this ordinance has plenty of good. But, four months after its implementation, it appears to have one bad outcome: fewer Cebu City races. 

As an organizer/sponsor, why pay P15,000 when you can pay P500 for a Mandaue City-located run in Parkmall?"

Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/sports/2012/06/25/pages-exorbitant-fees-reason-fewer-races-228677 

Decline of Runs in Cebu City due to Running Ordinance

Races held in Cebu City have decreased in number due in part to the relatively new ordinance implemented which dictates a One-Race-a-Day Policy and an increase in permit fees from P1,800 to P7,000 for races with 10k distances and P15,000 for half-marathons.

From Sunstar Cebu:

Most of the runs held the previous months were outside Cebu City, including those that used to be staged here. 

"Ang uban dagan naa gawas Cebu City kay mas barato man ang permit fee," said running coach Philip Duenas. 

Last month, some municipalities in the province hosted races such as the Columbia Ecotrail Run in Carmen, Highlands Run in Argao and the Kawasan Falls Marathon in Badian. 

Even those who organized annual runs moved to Mandaue like the Run for BB, which used to be in the Chong Hua Medical Arts Building, and the DYAB Kapamilya Run, which used to be in Cebu IT Park. Both transferred to Parkmall this year. 

“Usually, the ones that can afford these rates are corporate-backed runs,” said Uytiepo.

Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/sports/2012/06/24/running-code-downside-228413 
Photo: http://www.flickr.com/people/ekimo75/