Organizers of the Quincentennial Amazing Race 2021 led by Dr. Jojo Gonzales (extreme left) hold a press briefing to discuss the sporting event. Other organizers who attended are Shane Getutua (from left), Jess Rodinas, Rev. Fr. Jonas Mejares, and Joel Juarez. | Contributed photo
CEBU CITY, Philippines— Cebuano sports enthusiasts have something to look forward to this summer as the Rotary Club of Cebu-Fort San Pedro, and the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño lay ministers will hold a series of competitive sporting events billed as the “Quincentennial Amazing Race 2021”.
Six sporting events — a marathon, cycling/mountain bike, swimming, duathlon, aquathlon, and triathlon — will be held every three weeks starting April 5 to highlight the Quincentennial or 500th-anniversary celebration of Christianity in the Philippines.
The event was officially launched in an in-person and virtual press conference on Monday, March 1, 2021, at the Zeper office in Kasambagan, Cebu City.
Attending the press conference was organizer Jess Rodinas, the Rotary Club of Cebu-Fort San Pedro’s vice president; along with fellow organizer Dr. Jojo Gonzales, Shane Getutua, and Rev. Fr. Jonas Mejares.
“The proceeds of the Amazing Race will be used for the expansion of our urban gardening project in Old Ludo Cemetery,” said Rodinas, during the presser.
“We provided 23 groups from 200 families a vermiculture and sustainable vegetable garden program they can use as their livelihood. We want to help more informal settlers with the program, so all the proceeds of this sporting event will be used for its expansion,” he said.
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The Quincentennial Amazing Race 2021 will kick off with the marathon that runs from April 5 to 26, 2021. It features a full 42-kilometer marathon, 21K half marathon, and 5K distances. The runners will run on their own from the said date.
Cash prizes will be given to the top three runners in an open category. It means that there will be no male and female divisions as the winning runners will be determined based on the total accumulated distances they have run instead of the usual fastest finish time.
“We decided to highlight our country’s quincentennial celebration of our Christianity with sports events because it’s easier to organize. Our athletes pros and amateurs alike know the procedure of joining virtual races,” said Rodinas.
To prevent cheating, the organizers will assign a committee to analyze and monitor all the participant’s submitted official times. They are expecting 1,000 runners to sign up.
Registration runs from March 2 to 31, 2021. The registration fee for the 21K and 42K is pegged at P999 while P500 for the 5K. All enlisted runners will receive a finisher’s shirt and finisher’s medal. They are also entitled to the exciting raffle prizes at stake.
The registration is available at the Zeper office in Unit 210 Bonifacio District in Panagdait, Kasambagan, Cebu City, or visit its official Facebook page at “Quincentennial Amazing Race 2021”.
/dbs
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