IF RUNNING at night is not challenging enough, try turning the lights off.
The 2,500 runners taking part in tonight's star-studded Energizer Night Run will only have the lights from their headlamps to guide them through the race course at the Parkmall.
Not only will this be the case for the Cebuano runners but the celebrities who are joining the race as well.
Set to lend their star power to the event are Manila celebrities Iza Calzado, JC Tiuseco, Rochelle Pangilinan, Luis Alandy, and Paolo Paraiso.
"All runners are advised to check in by 6 p.m. for the distribution of the headlights and caps. This is one of the most
important pre-race activities, as all streetlights in the route will be switched off during the race and only the headlights will be used by the runners to light the path," said GMA-7's Barbette G. Atienza via e-mail.
According to Atienza, by 7:30 p.m., all runners will be called to assemble at the starting point. There will be a warm-up session with Rochelle Pangilinan, to be followed by a demonstration on the proper use of the Energizer headlights.
She added the motorists are advised to take alternate routes to avoid inconvenience as the race routes on W.O. Seno St.; Ouano Ave.; E.O Perez St.; M. Logarta Ave.; G. Lopez Jaena St.; and A. Del Rosario St. will be closed to traffic from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
"Special awards will also be given to the oldest runner, the youngest runner, and the largest contingent of runners," she said.
The run-in-the-dark-with-headlight type of race will feature 10K, 5K and 3K events for men and women. The top three finishers will receive P10,000, P7,000 and P5,000, respectively plus medals and Energizer gift packs.
The race is also a run for a cause as a portion of the registration fee will be donated to the Kapuso Foundation, which will benefit the indigent hearing-impaired kids in Cebu.
The hearing aids will be given to the beneficiaries by GMA Kapuso Foundation executive vice president Mel Tiangco and the Energizer brand managers after the race.
The awarding ceremonies will follow at 10 p.m. and will be graced by some of the station's actors like Katrina Halili.
It will be capped by a concert by the band Parokya ni Edgar.