OR IT could be the other way around, run, relax and see a movie. Those who sign up early for the Cebu Marathon during the three-day expo at the Activity Center may get to win a movie pass at the Ayala Cinema. That isn’t a bad deal considering there are a lot of interesting movies next month, including “The Joker” and the latest installment of “Terminator.” (Hmm, might be interesting to jog alone, while imagining Big Old Arnold is chasing you).
Next year’s Cebu Marathon is the 10th and it’s funny how time quickly flies. They launched it using the 1-10-10 logo and I remember it was such a successful name recall that other marathons copied the idea.
Ten years, who could have expected that what a group of running enthusiasts planned to be Cebu’s biggest marathon would now be one of the biggest annual sports events in the city.
The event attracts foreign runners from all over the world regularly and since it is during the Sinulog month--and is part of the Sinulog activities--people don’t begrudge the organizers for the road closures since they are used to having road closures in January.
Ten years ago, the Azkals were still a non-entity, only known to a small group of diehard fans. I’m highlighting that because come January, it would be eight years since I joined my last run and it was after I attended an event graced by Azkals manager Dan Palami.
I did the 21K in 2:36 after months of regular training that had me running in Banawa almost every night. One time, when I got invited to the Doce Pares anniversary on Dec. 30, I ran from Banawa all the way to Sto. Niño Village and sort of nullified the calories burned with the famous pri-chon of SGM Dionisio Cañete.
I enjoyed those night runs and I remember having a lot of funny encounters—from crazy dogs to couples making out in the dark.
John Pages, our columnist who is among the organizers, invited me to run the 21K next year, saying four months is enough time to train. He’s right of course and for those of you who want to graduate from the 10K and try the half-marathon, the Cebu Marathon is the perfect way to make your first 21K.
And if you sign up now at the Activity Center, you’d be getting some freebies, so better go to the three-day expo before it ends.
As for me, well, I’m still contemplating whether to run the 5K or not. Or maybe, I’d just see a movie.