Organizers promise better Laban ng Lahi race on August 26

Joenel Pogoy (center) speaks during the press launching of the Laban ng Lahi 2018 at the Wellcome Hotel. CDN PHOTO/CHRISTIAN MANINGO

CAMBOAYAN Sports Events Management chief Joenel Pogoy buried the hatchet with Cebu-based runners almost a year after their dismal running event in Cordova town, Cebu by finally handing over the cash prizes yesterday in a re-launching of the Laban Ng Lahi 2018 at the Wellcome Hotel.

In the first staging of the race, Pogoy and his team were bombarded with tons of complaints from the local running community because of having a disorganized race with no cash prizes awarded to the winners.

Yesterday, Pogoy sincerely apologized and handed over the P7,000 cash prize to Joseph Emia, a runner from Rider Omega Tri Team who placed fourth, and his teammate, who placed second in the 5k category. Earlier this year, he also awarded P87,000 worth of cash prizes to the winning runners of the vaunted Spectrum Runners Club.

Pogoy, during the re-launch of the Laban Ng Lahi 2018 Central Visayas Qualifiers which is slated August 26 in Lapu-Lapu City, explained the reason for the mix up last year.

“There was an internal dispute that resulted to a disorganized event. I proceeded with the event but the prizes will be delayed while waiting for the funds to come in because of budget constraints. I convinced a lot of people after that, by explaining to them the advocacy and gained enough support to continue this running event that is why I was able to give the cash prizes today,” said Pogoy, a captain of the Philippine Air Force (PAF).

“We have to prove that Laban Ng Lahi is not a scam. We have to prove to the Cebuanos about our advocacy which is to promote unity and tourism through this running event.”

Pogoy promised that this year’s race will be better and that the cash prizes will be given right after the race. In fact, the cash prize is already deposited in the Lapu-Lapu City Treasurer’s Office. The City of Lapu-Lapu will award the prizes to the winning runners in the 10-kilometer and 5k distances

In this year’s qualifiers, the organizers will select 93 runners to form three teams composed of 31 runners to represent Central Visayas in the finals on September 11, where they will compete in the 18k Platoon Run in Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte. P3 million cash prize is at stake in the finals.

The finalists will include GenSan Gladiator Plattoon of WBA world welterweight champion Senator Manny Pacquiao. Other qualifying legs are in IloIlo City, Baguio City, Pangasinan, and Cagayan de Oro City.

Registration fee for the 10k is P700 and the 5k is P500.

The tentative finish area is at the Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa while there are two separate starting points for the 10k and 5k distances in Lapu-Lapu City.

For more information about the registration sites and other details of the upcoming running event, one can visit the Laban Ng Lahi 2018 Facebook page.