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Saturday, September 18, 2004
1st Cool City 10K race to kick off Sunday
By Ernie Olson Jr.
OVER 200 runners have already registered to join the 1st Cool City 10-kilometer foot race, which will kick off at Burnham Park's Lake Drive Sunday at 6 A.M., September 19.
Unlike other races held in Baguio in the past years where only the top finishers are awarded, trophies, medals and cash prizes will also be given to the top runners in the different age categories to spice up this sporting event.
This was aside from special trophies, which will also be garnered by the biggest school contingent, the family with the most participating members and the biggest group or running team.
Race directress Rosario Velasco-Alberto said trophies and cash prizes will be awarded to the top ten finishers of the 10K run. In the seven age categories, trophies and cash prizes will be won by the champions, while medals and cash prizes will also be given to the first to fourth runner-ups. Gift certificates will also be awarded to all winners by Daichi Kosan.
These age categories are for participants aged 14 to 16, 17 to 19, 20 to 29, 30 to 39, 40 to 49, 50 to 59, and 60 and above. A special 3-kilometer fun run was also included for those aged 12 and below.
"The contention for prizes is not open, however, to members of the national track teams A to C. They may only join as guest runners. Our aim here is not only to offer an outlet for sports and fitness buffs, but to identify local talents, especially from among the youth, who may be tapped to race as Baguio representatives in future events," Alberto added.
"It is very sad that we lack activities like this here in our city, while if we look at similar races held in Manila and elsewhere, participants there look up to Baguio runners with admiration and respect. Baguio, with its terrain, climate and high altitude, is a very ideal place for runners to train," she pointed out. "Although about 200 runners have already registered up to early today, I still received calls from a school and another group whose members would still want to join this foot race."
As an added incentive for race participants, all finishers will be given a certificate of overall ranking even if they end up at last place. "We will also make sure that the exact number of kilometers will be run and that runners will have the exact race time posted in their certificates."
Aside from the 10K race which has been organized by the AHKHONG Running Club, already being planned now is a 5K run to be held in the first week of December 2004 and a 42K full marathon scheduled for May 2005 which will be sponsored by a Cordilleran who lives in California, USA. "The full marathon will still be held in May next year because participating runners need at least six months of minimal training.
For more details, interested runners and other prospective participants may inquire at the running club's temporary office located at the Sanidad Law Office, 206 Laperal Building, Session Road, from 4-6PM on weekdays.
A registration fee of P40 will be assessed from contenders in the 10K run, P25 from runners in the 5K race and P10 for 3K fun run participants.
(September 18, 2004 issue)
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