We ask the first-timers: Why join the Cebu Marathon?

Casino and Suico

SOME of the top marathoners from around the country converge in Cebu every January to take part in the yearly Cebu Marathon.

These noted runners vie for the top prize and the rewards that come with it, not to mention bragging rights.

But every year, there are also those who come to join the prestigious race for the first time.

Cebu Daily News asked some of the Cebu Marathon newbies what made them decide to join.

For 37-year-old Pipo Casiño, who comes all the way from Don Carlos Bukidnon in Mindanao, he wants his first try at a full marathon to be special.

Casiño, a member of the Don Carlos Runners Club, has joined several races in Cagayan de Oro but this will be his first time to compete in the Cebu Marathon.

“Since this is my first time to join a full marathon, I want to make it special and more memorable. That’s why I chose the Cebu Marathon because it is one of the more prestigious races in the country,” said Casiño, who has joined other races in Northern Mindanao such as the Freedom Run, Kagay-An Run and the Milo Marathon Cagayan de Oro leg.

Casiño said he learned about the race through Facebook and his friends.

“Before I decided to do a full marathon, I asked around and searched through social media. Then I found out that the Cebu Marathon is one of the biggest races in the country and is joined by thousands of participants. So it was one race I definitely considered joining for my first full marathon,” added Casiño.

Have fun and enjoy

Just like other first-time runners, Casiño, who has been running for just a year and four months, said he is excited for this Sunday’s race, which starts at the Sumilon Road at the Cebu Business Park.

He will be part of the 5,081 who will be participating in this year’s edition of the footrace.

“I just want to have fun and enjoy the race more than anything else since this is also my first race in Cebu,” Casiño said.

Accoording to Casiño, he started joining running events for health reasons.

“At first my goal was just to lose weight. But when I saw the results, it became an addiction. I run because it makes me love the feeling of living,” he said.

He added that he plans to run a full marathon every year and is sure to come back for the Cebu Marathon next year.
Most awaited

There are also runners from Cebu who will be joining for the first time such as 22-year-old Rhea Geraldine Mayol Suico, who resides in Consolacion town, northern Cebu.

The Industrial Engineering cum laude from the University of San Carlos said that positive reviews about the race from her cousin and friends is what made her decide to try and join.

“I was shocked when I knew that the Cebu Marathon is actually one of the most awaited marathons not only in Cebu but [also] in the Philippines. It is said that the marathon is filled not only with food and music but as well as with the Sinulog vibes and spirit,” said Suico, who started getting into the sport in September 2016.

Just like Casiño, this will also be her first try at the full 42-kilometer distance.

“ I frankly expect my first full marathon to be very physically painful. But putting aside the physical pain that is yet to come, I expect the marathon’s route to be filled with food, music and the very famous Sinulog spirit and vibes,” she added. “I expect to enjoy and remember the pain mixed with joy and adrenaline in every kilometer of my first full marathon.”

Despite of the pain she expects in the race, Suico boldly said she’d come back for more next year.

“I have come to the decision that I want to commit myself to running the Cebu Marathon every year starting this year.”