WE’RE READY. Rio dela Cruz (center) of Run Rio, stresses a point during yesterday’s final presscon for the 2016 Cebu City Marathon. At right is race organizer John Pages. (CDN PHOTO/CHRISTIAN MANINGO)
Some 4,000 runners from 36 countries will flood Cebu City’s major streets and heritage sites today as the 2016 Cebu City Marathon blasts off at the Garden block of the Cebu IT Park.
The Association of International Marathons and Distances (AIMS) and International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF)-accredited event drew 3,600 runners as of yesterday’s latest update. However, organizers bared that hundreds of runners are still at the registration site for today’s race at the Active Zone of Ayala Center Cebu and through online. The run features a 42-kilometer full marathon, 21k half marathon and 5k distances.
A total of 1,450 hard core runners have registered in the the full marathon while 1,626 have enlisted in the half marathon. Some 600 runners are vying in the 5k as of presstime yesterday.
This year’s number of registrants broke last year’s attendance of 3,336 runners.
EVERYTHING COVERED
Renowned race director Rio Dela Cruz of Run Rio said that they have covered all aspects of the race. “This race is tagged as the happiest marathon in the Philippines and we will do our best to make this run successful,” said Dela Cruz during yesterday’s final press conference at the House of Lechon.
He was joined by fellow Run Rio organizers and Cebu City Marathon organizer John Pages of the Cebu Executive Runners Club (CERC).
Dela Cruz added that there will be more than a hundred marshals stationed along the route to ensure security of the runners while around a hundred police and traffic personnel will also be deployed.
There will be 14 hydration stations sponsored by various barangays, running clubs and companies.
Accenture, the event’s major sponsor will treat 42k and 21k runners a well deserved pampering with food, ice pool and free massage for the finishers. It has also built a hydration station at the South Road Properties (SRP) with tons of treats and other surprises.
TRAFFIC
Although some roads in Cebu City will not be fully closed to traffic, race organizers admitted that traffic jams should be expected as they ask for patience and understanding from the motorists and church goers.
Pages cited Gorordo Avenue and roads near Basilica Minore Del Santo Niño where novena masses are ongoing for the Sinulog Festival, as possible traffic chokepoints.
The entire South Road Properties (SRP) will be closed to traffic from 12 midnight Saturday until 9 a.m today as well the rest of the roads covered by the official route.