THE Cebu Pink Paddlers Dragonboat Team invites the global running community to support its breast cancer awareness cause by running in the 3rd Cebu Pink Virtual Ultramarathon from October 1 to 31, 2022.
The event will benefit breast cancer survivors and will help raise funds for the team to represent the country in the Sarawak International Dragon Boat Regatta to be held in Malaysia in October.
The ultramarathon also serves as an awareness drive on breast cancer, especially for women to self-check.
Participants who will join the at-your-own-pace virtual marathon will need to run a total of 100 kilometers (km) distance to get a gold medal, or 50 km to snag a silver. They can track their progress using health and running distance apps.
Registration fee is P1,500, inclusive of the five-inch medal for finishers, fully sublimated finisher's shirt, personal e-bib and an e-certificate of completion. Early birds who will register from August 1 to 15 can also avail of a 10-percent discount.
Lulu Valiente, race director, said the marathon is not only for hardcore runners but for everyone, especially those who want to champion their cause.
"This race will not only help send our team abroad, but it will also help our outreach programs and educate people about breast cancer in far-flung towns of Cebu," Valiente said in Cebuano.
Organizers are expecting 350 participants for the event.
Gearing up for Malaysia
The Cebu Pink Paddlers have gone a long way since they were founded in 2017. The team was formed as a way to have a communal bond among breast cancer survivors. They have since competed in prestigious dragon boat competitions here and abroad and have consistently brought home gold medals.
Christian Ian Sy, coach of the Cebu Pink Paddlers, said the team is now hard in training for the Sarawak International Dragon Boat Regatta 2022 and that they are now "60-percent ready" for the competition. Since they are the only breast cancer team to represent the country, they are asking Filipinos to root for them.
"I know that our breast cancer paddlers and supporters will do their best to reach that goal of being ready. We will go there not just to join, we will go there prepared and we'll do our best to win. Hopefully, we can win another gold abroad... and hopefully, we can bring pride to our country," Sy said.
Sarawak International Dragon Boat Regatta gathers international teams to compete along the Sarawak River in Malaysia.
"If we win, we can inspire a lot of people that we are stronger than cancer. That together, we are stronger. Layo ang atong maabtan if we work hand-in-hand," he added.
Run for a cause
Registration period will run from August 1 to September 20. The run period will be from October 1 to 31.
Interested participants who wish to participate in the event can message the Cebu Pink Paddlers Dragonboat Team on Facebook and Instagram or contact Lulu Valiente at 09266974564/09228047283.
Photos and videos courtesy of Cebu Pink Paddlers Dragonboat Team