STOP RUNNING

[joecax]

Stop running
(The Freeman) Updated September 22, 2009 12:00 AM

Some 20 years ago, Cebu thirsts for running events being contented with maybe, three races a year. Cebuano runners have to travel to Manila or elsewhere just to participate in a race. But recently, running has reached pandemic proportions, not only in Cebu but all over the country. Races just pop out from nowhere, thus confusing the runners where to run. In September alone, we already had 4 races with 3 more scheduled before the end of the month. Last Sept. 6 was the Canduman 10k, Sept 13, IBP Fun Run and CNU Run, Sept. 20, the PSME Run. On Sept 26, the Press Freedom Run (for media members) and the Eco-Dash Run will simultaneously blast off from the Cebu Business Park. The following day, the World Heart’s Day Run will unfold at the Cebu Provincial Capitol. People think I’m the happiest person because of this phenomenon. But on the contrary, I’m the most upset. As I mentioned in a previous column, Cebu is having an overdose of running events, some terribly organized. Everybody wants to organize a race, a barangay run, a “kapilya” run, name it you have it. Soon there will be a run for prosties or a “kutchero’s” run that starts at Duljo. The Freeman publisher Nito Jabat was surprised when I mentioned somebody wants to organize a fund raising run for prosties “But they are making more money by just lying down”, said Nito.

CONTROL THE RUNS

Now, several sports leaders are worried the runners will burn themselves or get injured. In fact, I know of several who are already in the injured list. Last time I talk with members of the Cebu City Sports Commission and the local Philippine Sports Commission, we were trying to make a solution to this problem. Since organizers don’t listen to scheduling, I think we have to do it the hard way. Starting next year, we are planning to get the schedules of all races for the year and give priority to long-existing races like the Milo Marathon, Sinulog Marathon (Now Cebu City Marathon), Don Sergio Osmeña Run, Holiday Gym & Spa 10 Miler, CDU Anniversary Run and the Midnight Run. How do we do it? Raul Manawatao CCSC said “Make a city ordinance requiring race organizers a clearance from the commission before they are given a permit from city hall”. The CITOM will also play a big hand in disapproving races “especially the nuisance” ones. However, even before this solution could see the light, I’ve observed that some running events have started to dwindle as far as participation is concerned. No crazy runner will run seven races in one week. Here’s a reminder, just select races that you will run. Comprende?

ELVIS IN KONA

I couldn’t believe one-legged triathlete Rudy Fernandez text message that says I have been invited to sing as Elvis at the 2009 Ford Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii USA. Rudy said he received an RSVP invitation from Susie Carroll, Special Events coordinator for me to prepare several Elvis numbers as I’m scheduled to perform at the Kona Beach Hotel during the Ironman reception for invited guests that include 60 world-class triathletes among others. Wow! That’s really great! But alas, I’ve already made up my mind since last month yet that I won’t be going to Kona because of more important commitments here. Besides Annie Neric might shoot me if I don’t direct her Run to the Max II 10 Miler on Oct. 11. Rudy in fact was a bit disappointed when I broke the bad news. As I write this column Rudy is being interviewed by Triathlon Magazine editor Jean Harley. Sayang! But I’m sure I’ll have another opportunity like singing to the Filipino Charismatic Group in New York City next year, a done deal.

NOTES:

Mediamen who are joining the Cebu Press Freedom Run on Sept. 26, have until Thursday to submit their entry forms. The Freeman has 32 entries, Sunstar 40 while ABS-CBN promised 20. Free singlets (running shirt) will be given to the first 120 registrants. The shirts and numbers will be given at the starting line at the City Sports Club Cebu before the race. No show, no shirt. Registration to the Holiday Gym & Spa Run to the Max II 10 Miler is now ongoing at the PSC office at the Cebu City Sports Center and at the Holiday Gym & Spa in Banilad.

http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=507535&publicationSubCategoryId=110
****************************************************************************************
i think this article was written by Mr. Raffy Uytiepo
what are your thoughts?

[rj]

yes, by raffy gyud.

i think he is right. sobra na kaayo!

[lencemedjai]

true they need to control race organizers on putting up races that is why to run a race you need a permit to begin with. but i dont think they should limit those organizers who run races for fund raising purposes. it is always good to pay the reg fee and run for something greater than you and getting the benefifs of living a healthy lifestyle at the same time. having that said elite and competetive runners know how to take care of themselves ang pick the right races to do. that is why again there are races that are certified by a national sports committee and on where elite athletes can get points on doing such races and also the organization of these races are higher in caliber compared to local or fund raising runs. besides if local races are not well run by organizers people take note of that anyway and would probably decide not to do it again.

if you are elite you should know how to hammer your body and you should be able to pick out races that benefits you. not just because there are races being run everyday that you have to run all these races. even amateur and leisure athletes know how to listen to their bodies and know if its possible to do a run or not, its not rocket science. i am not elite nor competetive but i do like to join those high caliber and certified races just because i like that these are well organized, you get to see pro athletes, serious athletes and tho ill never be in contention for top prizes they always have great race schwags for takes. but also i like to race in local races that are well organize. i love those races that benefits a school or a cause just because the field is not so big, not so competetive and way much cheaper reg fee wise. also sometimes for us non-competetive athletes its nice to feel being infront of the race or finishing top ten or getting age group hardwares from time to time and know how it feels like to be standing on the podium.

its good that they are concern of runners getting injured but i think limiting races wont do the trick. they will prolly be better off educating athletes on proper training and give clinics on smart training and injury prevention.

[rj]

bai lence u hit it right!

[chono]

Ingon ani sad unta ang triathlon

[ziggy]

para nako lang nindot nga bisan at least once a month naay triathlon event para its a gud way for us na magka himamat ug makita ug makompara atong improvements ba. 

enuf na siguro nang once a month aron dili sd kaayo ta ma burn out ba, nya naa sd gamay thrilling knowing nga pwede pata mobawi next month sa nagpakaon natog abog. hehehe!

sa running sd, ako lang experience diri sa manila.... grabe! ilang running event diri nagkalata! usually adto nila e hold sa Bonifacio High Street (BHS).  halos kada dominggo diri naay lumba dagan.  negosyo lagi, pero di lugi kay mo minimum man sd silag mga linibo ka runners.  mga pinakadako nila nga event diri kay kadtong condura held months ago nga niabot mig mga 5,000 ka runners.  ang murag pinakadako rn akong nadunggan kay kaning New Balance Race karong Sep.27, dungan sa 3-15-3 tri nato diha, kay niabot na daw sila ug 6,000 runners.  sira na gud ila registration a week before the event.

dili siguro angay nga limitan ang running events sa sugbu. ang maayo siguro kay ma limit or totally mawala ang bati nga organizers para atong running events diha puro nindot ug dekalidad, dili basta2x ba. mao lang sd na para nako.

[rap]

Ingon ani sad unta ang triathlon

maynta in-ani na ta puhon idol... e control na ang tri races kay almost every week naa.   

[rj]

bai rap, a vision that's possible.

[joecax]

we used to have many triathlon and duathlon races before in cebu.
sometimes twice in a month with corporate sponsors pa.
our sport is already back on its feet. ma abot ra na ang time nga d nata mg lisod ug pangita sponsors to back our events.
100 triathletes in a local race? very possible 

[joecax]

para nako lang nindot nga bisan at least once a month naay triathlon event para its a gud way for us na magka himamat ug makita ug makompara atong improvements ba. 

enuf na siguro nang once a month aron dili sd kaayo ta ma burn out ba, nya naa sd gamay thrilling knowing nga pwede pata mobawi next month sa nagpakaon natog abog. hehehe!

sa running sd, ako lang experience diri sa manila.... grabe! ilang running event diri nagkalata! usually adto nila e hold sa Bonifacio High Street (BHS).  halos kada dominggo diri naay lumba dagan.  negosyo lagi, pero di lugi kay mo minimum man sd silag mga linibo ka runners.  mga pinakadako nila nga event diri kay kadtong condura held months ago nga niabot mig mga 5,000 ka runners.  ang murag pinakadako rn akong nadunggan kay kaning New Balance Race karong Sep.27, dungan sa 3-15-3 tri nato diha, kay niabot na daw sila ug 6,000 runners.  sira na gud ila registration a week before the event.

dili siguro angay nga limitan ang running events sa sugbu. ang maayo siguro kay ma limit or totally mawala ang bati nga organizers para atong running events diha puro nindot ug dekalidad, dili basta2x ba. mao lang sd na para nako.

Cebu still holds the record of having the most participants in a single running event with around 23,000 runners sa Milo Marathon last year.

correct ziggy! i think we can petition to have organizers banned/suspend from doing an event if the feedback is not so good.
sa pagka karon wala pay governing body who can do that or even oversee the running races in cebu.
mas maau pud if organizers can limit the number of participants in their races to maintain quality like what raffy does.
uban organizers cge lang gihapon dawat registration bsan wala nay singlets! that's not fair

[rj]

that's what you call money making bai