200 join Ultramarathon

THE 200 participants who signed up for today’s Warrior Run at the Be Resort is a testament to how ultrarmarathon has started to gain ground.

The number is actually double the number of participants in the previous ultramarathons.

The 53K run is the third ultra run in Cebu.

The run's flat route was mostly what attracted first-time ultra runners to join.
Technical director Raffy Uytiepo said he barely recognized the names of runners as it is mostly made up of beginners.

A huge chunk of registrants are from Cebu but there are also a lot coming from Manila, Davao, Cagayan de Oro, Iloilo and Bacolod.

Some familiar names joining the run are veterans Haide Acuña, Michelle Estuar, Renz Gabuya and Melinda Ponce.

Gabuya and Ponce placed third and second respectively in the Ultra 65k run last May, while Estuar was the first female ultra champion in Cebu in November last year.

The race will start at 3 a.m. and end at noon following the nine-hour cutoff. Medal and shirt will be given to the finishers.

The men's champion of the 65K run, Ivan Villalion, from Sipalay, Negros Occidental, will miss the run but will return in November for the Centennial Run.

Meanwhile, media practitioners are invited to join the annual Press Freedom Run, which has 3K and 5K categories on Sept. 24 at the City Sports Club.

The free fun run will be among the highlights of the Press Freedom Week.

Interested participants may contact Michelle So of Sun.Star, Divine Ngujo of Freeman and Gabby Lariosa of Cebu Daily News.