Celebrity Donna Cruz-Larrazabal (third from right) and husband Dr. Yong Larrazabal III (fourth from right) are joined by other members of the organizing crew of the Kawasan Marathon during a press conference at the Run for Sight Foundation office along Osmeña Boulevard.
CDN PHOTO/JUNJIE MENDOZA
THE KAWASAN Marathon returns after a one-year hiatus as its third edition will be held on March 26, with its route covering the southern Cebu towns of Badian, Malabuyoc and Alegria.
This edition of the much awaited footrace will be welcoming a new category in the 12-kilometer distance. That’s aside from the usual 42k full marathon and 21k half marathon distances.
Running patron Dr. Potenciano “Yong” Larrazabal III of the Run For Sight Foundation spearheaded the press conference for the running event on Tuesday at the Run For Sight Foundation headquarters at the Cebu Doctors’ University (CDU) Hospital along Osmeña Boulevard.
This race is one of the most awaited event by some running buffs in the region because its route offers a scenic seaside view of the rural areas of southern Cebu.
“We decided to add the 12k category to answer a lot of runners’ request, especially those who want to have fun because this route has no pollution. And you also get to pass by the famous Kawasan falls,” Larrazabal said.
Joining Larrazabal in the press conference was his celebrity wife Donna Cruz-Larrazabal together with race director Joel Juarez and the representatives from the three southern municipalities.
ONLY 750 SLOTS
Larrazabal also announced that there will be cash prizes to be given away to the winners in each distance. This makes the race more exciting for foreign and local elite runners.
But the organizers are only preparing 750 slots for the event. Each category will only have 250 participants.
“We are doing this because we want to maintain orderliness and prevent any damage to the falls. It’s also easy to organize and that’s important especially when you’re organizing a running event outside of Cebu City,” Larrazabal explained.
All of the finishers in each category will receive medals and will be treated with a brunch buffet after the race. Local delicacies from each municipality will also be showcased to runners in each of the water stations.
“This running event not only showcases the scenic side of Cebu but it will also showcase the warm hospitality and their specialties,” Larrazabal said.
Aside from the Kawasan Falls, the runners will get to pass by the centuries-old church in Malabuyoc, which will be the turning point for the 42k runners. The runners will also pass through the newly built board walk in Alegria town’s boulevard.
The 42k cut-off time is six and a half hours while the 21k won’t have a cut-off time.
Registration fee is pegged at P900 for the 42k, P700 for the 21k and P500 for the 12k. Registration starts today at the Run For Sight Headquarters at the CDU Hospital.