Barefoot runners (from left) Romil Garces, Edwin Colina and Villy Ponferrada. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/REYNAN OPADA)
APART from the fierce competition in the Cebu City Marathon, (CCM) a group of runners took on a much difficult challenge as they braved the tough 42-kilometer route of the race without a footwear yesterday.
Cebu Northwest Ultra Marathon finishers Villy Ponferrada and Romil Garces alongside Edwin Colina proved that it doesn’t matter how great your shoes are if you don’t accomplish anything in them.
“One of the reasons why we run barefoot is because we want something that is very challenging. Barefoot running is very painful in every step of the way,” Colina said.
But aside from the challenge, Colina said the main reason they are doing this is to honor Cebu’s patron saint Sr. Sto Niño, whose feast is celebrated next Sunday.
“The main reason why we run together a full marathon and in full barefoot is to offer our sacrifice in the celebration of Sr. Sto. Nino,” Colina added.
The trio finished the race together with a time of five hours and 41 minutes.