THE BIRTH OF MAD RUNNING CLUB

 

Since 2011 that I started becoming a runner, I was never a part of a running club even if there was a multitude of clubs here in Cebu.  There was an attempt to join one in Toledo City in 2014, but it did not push through as planned for some reasons.

Fast forward to 2021.

I did not expect the accidental inception of the Marigondonian Adik og Dagan (MAD), an exclusive running club of the alumni of Marigondon National High School, the biggest public high school in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu. 

Care to know the story behind?

I was serving my last year as the elected Alumni President and I was thinking of ways to unite the alumni community.  One option I thought of is organizing different clubs to unite the alumni through a common sport, hobby or interest.  Through the initiative, several clubs were formed, including a mountaineering club, a motorcycle riders club and of course, the running club we called Marigondonian Adik og Dagan or MAD Running Club.  We chose the name because it is catchy and easy to recall and we reference it to the famous running club in Cebu, the Toledo Adik og Dagan or TAD club organized by the esteemed Doc Willie Estepa.  We also loved the name because it clearly suggests people to get addicted to a healthy lifestyle through running.

We started our 1st session last July 4, 2021, 5AM at MIMG Memorial Park in Marigondon, Lapu-Lapu City.  There were ten (10) runners who joined the first session and it was truly a blast.  I'm glad to have meet running enthusiasts from other batches, get to know them better as journey together in our goal of becoming a physically better versions of ourselves.

So what are you waiting now? 

Join us! Get MAD! Be MAD!

PINOY FITNESS SUB1-10K CHALLENGE 2018 CEBU

Date:  May 20, 2018
Venue: SM City Cebu, North Reclamation Area, Cebu City
Time: 4 AM

Categories: 
Sub1 Wave
Fun Wave

Registration Fee:
Sub1 Wave - P750
Fun Wave - P650

Registration Centers:

In-store Registration - April 1 - May 13

1)  GNC, SM City Cebu - Building A Cebu G Entrance
     SM Cebu North Reclamation, Cebu City

2)  GNC Ayala - Ground Floor, Ayala Center Cebu
     Cebu Business Park, Cebu City

3)  GNC SM Seaside - L 3004 - 3005
     SM Seaside, South Reclamation Properties (SRP)
     Cebu City

Online Registration:

www.pinoyfitness.com

For personalized race bib and guaranteed shirt size

Source: www.pinoyfitness.com

PROACTIV ADVENTURE TRAIL RUN

Date: March 25, 2018
Venue: Manduang Elementary School, Minglanilla, Cebu
Time: 5AM

Registration Fee:
P1,000  - inclusive of sublimated Finisher Shirt, 3-inch Finisher Medal, SKTR 2018 Event Token, Race Bib and Post Race Meal

Source: Cebu Fun Run Facebook Page

ELORA SUPERMARKET SUMMER FEST HALF-MARATHON

Date:  May 20, 2014, Sunday
In partnership with Dan Enrico Corporation and for the benefit of Nissi Academy

Categories:
3K/ 6K / 13K / 21K

Registration Fee:
3K - P250 exclusive for Nissi Academy; inclusive of Race Shirt and Post Race Snack
6K - P300 local; inclusive of Race Shirt and Post Race Snack
13K - P400 Open with Finishers Medal; inclusive of Race Shirt and Post Race Snack
21K - P600 Open with Finishers Medal; inclusive of Race Shirt and Post Race Snack

Registration Sites:
1)  Elora Supermarket - Marigondon, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu
2)  Dan Enrico Hardware Branches - Marigondon / Sudtonggan / Babag 2/ Poblacion Cordova / Bacayan Talamban
3)  Planet Sports - Active Zone Ayala Center Cebu / Pueblo Verde Tamiya Basak, Lapu-Lapu City

MARCO POLO PLAZA CEBU RUN FOR ERUF 2018

Date:  April 29, 2018, Sunday
Venue:  Marco Polo Plaza Cebu Grounds, Nivel Hills, Lahug, Cebu City
Assembly Time: 4:00 AM
Gun start: 5:00 AM

Categories:
1K / 3K / 5K /10K

Registration Fee:
1K - P350
3K - P350
5K - P350
10K - P550

For more inquiries, please call 032-253-1111 local 8106 and 8119 or email pr.cebu@marcopolohotels.com

Source: Cebu Upcoming Events Facebook Page

THE UPhill CHALLENGE ANNIVERSARY RUN

Event:  The UPhill Challenge Anniversary Run

Organized by: University of the Philippines Cebu

Date:  October 7, 2018

Venue: University of the Philippines Cebu

            Lahug, Cebu City

Gun Time: 4AM

BEST PLACES TO RUN IN MACTAN AND CORDOVA

Are you a runner living in Mactan Island or Lapu-Lapu City or its neighboring town Cordova?  Whether you are a local or a tourist, are you in quest for best places to pound the road?  Below are the recommended ideal places to jog, run or trek.

1.  MARCELO FERNAN BRIDGE

Opened for public use in 2000, the Marcelo Fernan Bridge or known to locals as Bridge 2 has become a popular haven for runners, joggers and trekkers who wanted to burn some calories.  Compared to the Mactan Bridge 1, the second bridge is more safe for runners to pound the road as barriers are provided along the walk lanes.  After all, nobody likes the idea of running alongside cars and jeepneys.

Aside from safety, another offering when running the Bridge 2 is the breathtaking view of the cities of Cebu, Mandaue and Mactan and cool sea breeze that awaits you atop.  It is recommended to run here early morning when the sun is about to rise or in time for sunset as the magnificient view are added spectacle to behold.

Photo Credits:  www.peanutbrowas.com

Photo Credits: www.peanutbrowas.com

www.flickriver.com

2.  MACTAN ISLAND MEMORIAL GARDEN

Located in Marigondon, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, Mactan Island Memorial Garden or MIMG is the preferred running grounds for jogging, running and fitness enthusiasts living near the place.  It is a private cemetery but the place is opening its doors for runners and joggers to use the place.  It is located along the highway thus easy to reach and highly accessible by public transportation.    It is fronting the Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Parish Church and near Marigondon National High School.  Since the place has become a running landmark, don't expect to be running alone rather expect a running crowd as this has became the running go-to place in the locality.

Photo Credits: www.runroo.com

Photo Credits: www.runroo.com

3.  CATTLEYA GARDEN MEMORIAL PARK

    

Located in San Miguel Cordova, Cebu. Just like Mactan Island Memorial Garden (MIMG), Cattleya is also a privately-owned cemetery that opened its door to runners and joggers.  It is also highly accessible as it is located along the highway and can be reached through public transportation.  It is also clean and well-maintained but unlike MIMG, the place has less crowd.

The Main Entrance of Cattleya Memorial Garden
Photo Credits:  www.realestatetalks-philippines.weebly.com

Photo Credits:  www.realestatetalks-philippines.weebly.com

Photo Credits: www.realestatetalks-philippine.weebly.com

Photo Credits:  www.realestatetalks-philippines.weebly.com

The Clubhouse
Photo Credits:  www.realestatetalks-philippines.weebly.com

Photo Credits:  www.realestatetalks-philippines.weebly.com

4.  PAROLA CORDOVA ROAD

The Parola Cordova Road is the actually the port for boats, banca or small ships bound for Bohol and Hilutungan Island. If running along the seaside is your kind of hype, then Parola is the place for you.  This has became famous with the recent development making this a recent hit for runners.  Try to visit one of these days and surely you won't go home disappointed.

Photo Credits:  www.kendalljenner.fun

5.  MARIGONDON BEACH ROAD

If you are living and familiar with this place, I'm sure you'll agree with me that the Marbeach road is an ideal place to run.  There is some kind of vibe that this place offers for runners.  One is the prize that awaits you at the finish line or the dead end where you can find an array of public and private resorts.  My favorite part of the route is that Suba Panas stretch that will lead you to Suba-BasBas Elementary School.  There were less houses and all you can see are trees alongside the road.  The peace and serenity the place offers for runners is priceless.  I can remember running here years ago before sunrise and I'll cap my run at the beach waiting for the sun to rise.  It was perfect moment.

Marigondon Public Beach.  Fronting this photo is the Plantation Bay Resort and Spa
Photo Credits: www.runroo.com

This is my favorite part of the MarBeach route - the Suba-Panas stretch that will lead you to Suba-Basbas Elementary School
Photo Credits: www.runroo.com

6.   PUNTA ENGANO ROAD

Who doesn't like Punta Engano?  It is located in Lapu-Lapu City and home to world class resorts such as Shangrila Mactan, Movenpick Resort and Spa, BE Resorts, Abaca Resorts and many more.  This is a running hub because aside from being remotely located, the place offers an ambiance fit for running.  There's a stretch after Shangrila where the entire road is covered by shade of huge trees.  That was my favorite part of this place.  This part of Lapu-Lapu City is also the Ironman route thus I know several Ironman participants will agree with me that this is one of the ideal place to run in Mactan.

LIONS RUN

Date:  March 11, 2018
Time: 5 AM
Venue: Plaza Independencia, Cebu City
Categories: 3K / 5K / 10K

Registration Fees:
3K - PHP350 Fun Run
5K - PHP450 Local with Finisher's Medal
10K - PHP550 Open with Finisher's Medal

Registration Centers:
1)  Planet Sports Ayala
2)  Planet Sports Tamiya
3)  Fitness Nation Gym Banilad
4)  Road Star Mabolo
5)  Country Basket JY Lahug
6)  Country Basket SM Cebu
7)  Sevenways Lending Branches
8)  Raintree Mall
9)  San Nicolas - Consolacion - Minglanilla

THE GAISANO CAPITAL RUN 2018

CEBU FUN RUN BUBBLE RUN

VERTICAL RUN 2018

Date: March 17, 2018
Organizer: Horizons 101 and Taft Properties
Venue: Horizons 101, Cebu City, General Maxilom, Cebu City
Distances: Full Challenge - 55F / Relay - 55F / Fun Climb - 25F

Registration Fees: 
Full 55 - PHP850 inclusive of the race singlet, drawstring bag and visor
Fun 25 - PHP700 inclusive of the race singlet and drawstring bag
Relay 55 - PHP1,800 inclusive of the race singlet, drawstring bag and visor

Registration Centers:

Onsite registration at the following Taft Properties Showrooms:
1)  Horizons 101 Showroon @ Gen Maxilom Ave., Cebu City  (near St Theresa's College)
2)  Taft East Gate Showroom @ Cardinal Rosales Ave., Cebu City (fronting Landers Superstore)
3)  Soltana Nature Residences Showroon, Maximo V. Patalinghug Jr Ave., Lapu-Lapu City

Registration forms are available at the following Metro Stores:
1)  Metro Colon
2)  Metro Mandaue
3)  Metro Supermarket Banilad (fronting Matias BBQ)
4)  Super Metro Mambaling
5)  Super Metro Lapu-Lapu

Registration starts on Feb 8 and ends on March 10, 2018.

For more information, visit the official Facebook Page at Horizons 101 Vertical Run

HUNAT SUGBU 8 DAGAN PARA NI MANING

Date: June 24, 2018, Sunday
Organizer:  Parklane Hotel
Venue: The Terraces, Ayala Center, Cebu
Proceeds will be for the Medical Mission with Jesu Christi Community

Categories: 3K / 6K / 12K / 21K

ALL-WOMEN ULTRAMARATHON (AWUM)

Date: March 10, 2018, Saturday
Organizer: ThinkTank
Venue:
Category: 50K

• The event is in line with the Women's Month celebration
• 200 slots up for grabs on a first come, first serve basis
• 100 slots will be electronically raffled from the waiting list
• Remaining 50 slots reserved for foreign athletes.  Foreign citizenship proof will be required upon registration,

Registration Fee: P1,800


Source: www.suntar.com.ph

MINGLANILLA DUATHLON CHALLENGE 2018

Date:  February, 18, 2018
Venue: Barangay Mandaung Covered Court, Minglanilla, Cebu
Time: 6AM
Categories:
Millennials - 30 years old and below
Masters - 31-44 years old
Golden - 45-above
Women - Open

Participants will hurdle 5K run, 16K bike and finish off with a 3K run

Registration Fee:
P700.00 inclusive of Finishers Shirt, Finishers Medal, Post Race Meal

Deadline for Registration: February 4, 2018.  Only limited to 200 slots.

SPARTAN RACE SPRINT AND KIDS RACE - CEBU

Date: June 16, 2018, Saturday
Venue: Foressa, Balamban, Cebu, Philippines
Organizer: Spartan Race

Registration Fees:

Elite Men: P3500

Elite Women: P3500

Age Group: P3250

Open Morning: P3050

Open Afternoon: P3050

Kids Race: P950

Race Schedule:

7:00 am : Elite Male

7:15 am : Elite Female

7:30 am : Age Group

8:00 AM – 11:45 AM – Morning Open

12:00 NN – 2:00 PM – Afternoon Open

Registration Venues:

1. Online – Click Here

For More Information:

Website: https://www.spartanrace.ph

ON YOUR MARK (OYM) BREAKTHROUGH RUN - CEBU LEG

Date: April 8, 2018, Sunday

Venue: Plaza Independecia, Cebu City (instead of the previously announced VIBO Place, Cebu City)

Categories:
5K / 10K / 25K

Registration Fees:
5K - P650
10K - P850
25K - P1,150

Registration Centers:
Registration is ON GOING!
Get your racekit right away!
online: www.affinitearaces.com

Onsite Registration:
Mizuno, Ayala Center Cebu
Mizuno, SM Seaside

Official Facebook Page:

https://www.facebook.com/events/1551821714901186/?ti=icl

Sample Finisher's shirt and Finisher's Medal below:

Upon registration, you can choose from any of these singlet colors:

Source: www.affinitearaces.com

CEBU CITY MARATHON: MEDAL TALES

I am one of those runners whose always attracted to running finisher's medal.  I carefully choose my races and medal are always part of the consideration to run or not.  For a medal hungry runner like me, it symbolizes achievement.   I believe, medals last longer than pain. 

Cebu City Marathon or CCM now on its 12th edition this 2018 is one of the races with beautifully designed and unique medals.  I doff my hat to the Cebu Executive Runners Club (CERC) for coming up with designs and concepts that beautifully depicts what CEBU is all about. 

Let's look back, revisit the past years and try to learn the story behind each design.

2010 - MANGO DESIGN

The famous Cebu mangoes - sweet, delicious and juicy.
Photo Credits: www.everythingcebu.com

2010 Design - Inspired by Cebu Mango

Who doesn't like Cebu Mangoes?  Perhaps this is what Meyrick Jacalan of Cebu Executive Runners Club (CERC) had in mind when he came up with the brilliant idea to have the famous Cebu Mango for the design.  Engraved in it are the words "CEBU CITY MARATHON", the famous landmark MAGELLAN CROSS, the date of the event 01-10-10 and CERC, the running club organizing the event.

2011 - 2-MANGO DESIGN

I can surmise the mango design earned beautiful feedback and review from runners reason why Cebu Executive Runners Club decided to keep the mango-design.  This time around they added the words "Race Through The Streets and Colors of Cebu", which is an apt description of what CCM should be - a prelude to SINULOG, which is the grandest of all festivals in the Philippines.

2012 - 3-MANGO DESIGN

SOURCE: www.runningpinoy.wordpress.com

For the third and last time, Cebu Marathon 2012 medal still retained the Mango-design, however, it added the engraved branding words "Feel The Beat and Get On Your Feet".  With the branding, the organizers wanted the CCM to goes back to its Sinulog roots, bringing the festive, lively and fun vibe, highlighting the reason to take part in Sinulog.

2013 - PUSO DESIGN

Cebu's Puso, the inspiration for the 2013 medal design
Photo Credits: www.everythingcebu.com

2013 Design - inspired by Cebu's puso or hanging rice

PUSO, is heart in Filipino/Tagalog.  In Cebuano, it is pronounced PU-SU or the Bisaya term for Hanging Rice.  The hanging rice which is distinctly Cebuano is best paired with grilled barbeque meat, siomai or any street food.  

For 2013, the organizers highligthed PUSO to brand PUSO as the The Heart of the Cebu Marathon.   Aside from the usual Cebu landmarks engraved in the medal, this is the first time that an image of the Child Jesus, Sto. Nino is incorporated.  I find this noteworthy as Sinulog Festival is supposedly a religious event.  Amidst the festivities, its is nice to focus on the reason of the celebration which is to give thanks, honor and adoration to the Blessed Child Jesus.


2014 - GUITAR DESIGN

Cebu is home to world-class guitar.  Guitar making is a flourishing industry and most of the manufacturers are found in Lapu-Lapu City or Mactan Island.  Accounts on how the industry started can be traced during the Spaniards time when they trained villagers on the craft, so they no longer have to send their guitars to Mexico for repair.  The music loving villagers took the livelihood by heart until it grown into a thriving industry.  This livelihood was passed on from generations to generations.

GUITAR, the inspiration for CCM 2014 medal design.
Photo Credits:  www.everythingcebu.com

2015 - LECHON DESIGN

If you ask any Filipino what is the most popular dish in the Philippines, I bet their answer would include lechon.  And if you're follow up question will be, "where can we have the best lechon, the answer is crystral clear:  Cebu lechon is the best!

No wonder the famous TV Personality, Chef, and Food Adventurer Anthony Bourdain describes Cebu Lechon as "The Best Pig Ever".

Cebu's Lechon or roasted Pig, CCM's inspiration for its 2015 medal design
Photo Credits:  Out of Town Blog

2016 - LAPU-LAPU DESIGN

Cebu is rich in history and culture.  History books tells us that in 1521, the brave island chieftain named Lapu-Lapu fought against Spanish conquerors led by then Portuguese Ferdinand Magellan in a fight called The Battle of Mactan.  Lapu-Lapu defeated and killed Magellan in that historic event.  It was victory for Lapu-Lapu.

Running a marathon is like raging war with oneself.  Along the race you will encounter challenges and difficulties that's hard to combat.  Once you'll diminish self-doubt and conquer one self, you will be victorious and just like Lapu-Lapu, you are a true heart road warrior.

This finisher's medal is fitting for a road warrior.  

Mactan Island's chieftain, LAPU-LAPU - the inspiration for the CCM 2016 medal design
Photo Credits: www.ebtenorio.wordpress.com

SOURCE: www. takbo.ph

2017 - 10TH ANNIVERSARY MANGO DESIGN

CCM started in 2008.  It was then called Sinulog Half Marathon and not CCM yet.  It was organized by the Cebu Executive Runners Club or CERC, the same group who is still backing up the event every year.

On its 10th edition, CCM went back to the original Mango design but this time around highlighted its 10th year anniversary. This race is also called Tri-City Marathon as this is the first time that race route covers the three cities of Cebu, Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu.  That makes this edition extra special.

2018 - "CEBU NOW" DESIGN

Less is written on the why of the medal design.  In my opinion, it depicts the modern Cebu.  That is why unofficially call it "THE CEBU NOW" design for the reason that it highlighted the modern and present Cebu.  As with the previous medals, it still showcased the famed landmark of Cebu, The Magellan's Cross.  This time around they included the Basilica Minore de Sto Nino, a landmark that symbolizes Cebuano deep religiosity, devotion and unwavering Child-like faith to the Child Jesus.

Since CCM was born, a lot had change in terms of the city's landscape.  Cebu is definitely not the same as it was since 2008.  This is perhaps the reason why the medal version this year is a modern representation of the city.  Its background are tall rise buildings or skyscrapers in all forms and sizes - condominiums, commercial centers, malls and modern infrastructures and structures that sprouted like mushrooms at almost all parts of the metropolis.

With all the infrastructure development, worsening traffic woes and visible sign of economic progress, this is the CEBU now.

Cebu's Skyscrapers - inspiration for the 2018 design
Photo Credits: Pinterest

SOURCE: www.cebumarathon.ph