LOADED 2018

Paddlers compete in the BakuNaga dragon boat race in the City of Naga last December. There are two races expected in the same venue this year.
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Sporting events to look out for in Cebu this year

The sporting scene in Cebu is expected to be an exciting one this year.

Apart from the usual sporting spectacles held every year in Cebu such as the Cebu Marathon, Milo Little Olympics, the Cebu City Olympics and other multi-sporting meets like the school-based Cebu Schools Athletics Foundation Inc. (Cesafi), there will also be new events that are expected to spice up 2018.

Here’s a look at what to watch out for this year:

January

A new sporting event will be rocking Cebu as 30 paragliding experts from different countries host a two-day paragliding experience on Jan. 6 and 7 in Oslob, Cebu.

Also on Jan. 7 will be the PSC Sinulog Fun Run at the Cebu City Sports Center .

On the 14th will be the prestigious Cebu Marathon 2018 at the Cebu Business Park, which will feature around 5,000 runners including participants from abroad.

Bowlers from all over the country will gather for the 19th Sinulog Open National Tournament on Jan. 23 to 28 at the Gaisano Bowlingplex in Banilad, Cebu City.

There will also be a Sinulog Beach volleyball tournament scheduled anytime within this month or the next.

February

The Cebu Football Association (CFA) kicks off the year with the 8th Sinulog Football Festival 2018 on Feb. 3 and 4 at the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC) football field.

Cebu also hosts on Feb. 4 the 7-Eleven Run, which will be held simultaneously in Manila and Davao City. The run will start and finish at the Cebu Business Park.

The eighth edition of the SM2SM Run will be held on Feb. 18 starting at the SM City Cebu car park.

March

On March 10 will be the unique and grueling All Women’s Ultra Marathon (AWUM). This is a 50-kilometer ultra marathon exclusively for female long distance runners. The official venue will be announced soon.

April

Kicking off the sporting events this month will be the first leg of the Philippine Sports Commission’s (PSC) Visayas Open on April 8 and 9. Eight sporting events will be featured in this meet meant to search potential talents from the region.

Rising watersport dragon boat takes center stage on April 13-15 with the Cebu Dragon Boat Fiesta 2018 at the Naga Boardwalk. The event features local and international teams.

Also in this month will be the Philippine National Games National Finals in Cebu City. This meet was initially scheduled last December but was moved to April.

The XTerra Danao, an international off-road triathlon race, will also be held in this month.

June

On June 2-3 will be the second leg of the PSC Visayas Open in the City of Naga, southern Cebu. It will feature 11 sporting events.

On June 16 will be the first-ever Spartan Race to be held in Cebu City. This will be the third Spartan Race in the country after San Mateo, Rizal in September last year and Clark, Pampanga this February.

The Cebu race will be a Spartan Sprint, which features the shortest distance among Spartan obstacle races. It is perfect for athletes of all levels, from Spartan first timers to seasoned racers. The 5+km Sprint may be the shortest distance but it packs more than 20 signature Spartan obstacles.

August

Cebu will play host again to the Asia-Pacific Championships of Ironman 70.3 on Aug. 5.

This is the second time Cebu hosts the Asia-Pacific Championships. Regent Aguila Energy Drink will be the new official presenter of the international triathlon race that starts at the Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa. The race will feature a 1.9k swim, 90k bike and 21k run.

Also in August will be the Milo Little Olympics Visayas Regional Finals at the Cebu City Sports Center. The annual meet features 15 sporting events to be competed in by various private and public schools around the Visayas.

Hoops action in the Cesafi featuring the top high school and college basketball teams also starts on this month.

September

The Batang Pinoy Visayas Games is expected to be held this month although no specific date and venue was given yet.
Other sporting events in the Cesafi such as football and badminton also starts this month.

October

The top football clubs from the Queen City of the South will be clashing this month in the 20th Aboitiz Football Cup.
Also to be held this month will be the second edition of the Visayan Electric Company (Veco) Friendship Cup basketball tournament.

November

In November, some of the best student athletes will be competing in the annual Cebu City Olympics at the Cebu City Sports Center.

December

Paddlers plunge back into action this month with the 2018 BakuNaga Dragon Boat Race at the Naga Boardwalk at the City of Naga, southern Cebu.
On the 24th will be the 40th edition of the Halad Kang Mano Amon Run in Danao City, northern Cebu.

Aside from these sporting events, there is also expected to be year-round boxing events such as the Pinoy Pride boxing series of ALA Promotions and the Who’s Next? Boxing Series of Omega Pro Sports International.