THE first running event hosted by Cebu Home and Builders Centre (CHBC), “The Builders Run,” has drawn 1,000 participants and organizers hope for more when the footrace unfolds on June 29 at Parkmall, Mandaue City.
The run, which is part of the 12th industry anniversary of CHBC, has three categories—the 5K, 8K and 16K. The 8K and 16K rake in the most number of participants, while the 5K inch closer to the former. The three categories are divided into open, employees and industry professionals.
Ingrid Maria Mejia, of Siti Concepts Events Services, they are aiming for 1,500 runners on race date.
Top-tier runners in the women’s 16K open are Mary Joy Tabal, Mereeiz Ramires, Mona Lisa Ambasa and other local formidables. Tabal and Ramirez both dominated separate races last weekend.
Tabal topped the women’s 21K of Run for the Rivers last Sunday. She clocked 1 hour and 22 minutes and barely broke her personal best of 1:21. That was the overall ninth title for Tabal in 2014, and four of that were won this month—the second leg of Run United in Manila last June 1, The Eye Run last June 8, DYAB Kapamilya Run last June 15, and the Run for the Rivers last Sunday.
Other race
Ramirez, on the other hand, snatched the top plum of the women’s 21K in Hunat Sugbo 4: Dagan para ni Maning at Parkmall last Sunday. Dumaguete City-native Ramirez, who placed either second or third in her latest races, comes to Cebu every weekend to compete.
“I’m going home this afternoon. I will come back next weekend to join the Naga Trail Challenge and Builders Run,” said Ramirez, after winning the Hunat Sugbo 4 last weekend.
In the 16K men’s category, Cebu City Marathon 2014 Filipino men’s champion Noel Tillor will once again meet the formidable Kenyan Runners.
Tillor snatched the second place of the men’s 21K last Sunday in Hunat Sugbo 4, he was just seconds short from the men’s winner Douglas Mwiti.
“The weekend races help me train and prepare for the Milo elimination Cebu this Oct. 1. I achieved a good time in Hunat Sugbo,” said Tillor, who clocked 1:14 in the 21K.
Prizes
Cash prizes and gift certificates await the top three of the men’s and women’s 5K, top five in the 8K, and top ten in the 16K. The top 25 male and top 25 female runners in the 16K will each receive finishers’ medal.
Parts of the proceeds will be used for the benefit of Gawad Kalinga Foundation, which will help build houses in the community of CO Family Farm at Gawad Kalinga Village in Kiniguitan, Misamis Oriental.
Registration is ongoing at Runnr Ayala, Parkmall, A Runner’s Circle (ARC) at Raintree Mall, The Brick Multi-Sport Store in J Center Mall, and all CHBC branches. RSC