Cebu Marathon Experience: Cebu Ce-Boom

Maayong adlaw.  After 8 years I’m back in Cebu.  I was here after college to review for the ECE board exams.  The last time I was here was during the oathtaking in 2002.  Nindut gyud.

I didn’t expect to be in the same flight with Coach Rio.  We arrived at Mactan Airport and head straight to Ayala Center to get our race packets.  The claiming area was small.  I don’t expect it to be crowded since only about 3,000 runners have registered.  Staff were friendly except that they are talking in Bisaya.  Good thing I still have a handy vocabulary and was able to converse with them.

We met Tina, Totoy and Sid who are also running the 42K on Sunday.  Other runners will also be arriving today.  Team Baldrunner from Manila have arrived yesterday.  Team FTS of Coach Franklin from Bacolod will be joining.  Most of them at 5K.  And more running friends from Manila will be coming over.

It’s indeed hot in Cebu.  I hope the forecast of 23C on Sunday will be true.

I got a chance to meet Kenneth who is one of the members of the Cebu Executive Runners Club.  They are the organizers of the Cebu Marathon.  He also has a blog Asphalt Eater and is a forum member of Takbo.ph under the same name.

He shared to me some things to expect in the marathon.

• Weather is a defintely hotter, especially at the Cebu South Road Properties (SRP) which is a reclaimed area. But he is hoping for overcast skies on Sunday.
• Flat race course especially at the SRP.
• SCenic 42K route which passes thought the points of interest in Cebu like the Sto Nino Church and the Magellan’s Cross
• Prelude to Sinulog.  It will be festive like the Sinulog Festival which will be on next Sunday.

Sounds exciting.  I just hope my knees won’t hurt like hell just like my 32K at the Rizal Day Run.  I have a good feeling this race will surely be one of the events runners will be looking forward to every year.

Off to the carbo loading.  There will be food, live bands, and some video.  Spirit of the Marathon will be shown tonight.