5 Reasons to Join PhilConstruct Visayas Industry Run: San Pedro Calungsod Templete, Green School, & more.

(Watch out for our race slots give-away. We’ll be posting the mechanics at aktib.ph.)

Half-marathon Running Event: PhilConstruct Visayas Industry Run 21K/12K/6K/3K (June 9, 2013, and more details here >>)
Organizers: Cebu Contractors Association / Philippine Contractors Association
Race Director: Joel Juarez
Beneficiary: Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers (PICE) “PHILGREEN SCHOOL”

I admit it was odd to hear the construction industry organizing a running event. I know they’re all “macho” and strong and active… but images of nails, hammers, and paints are the things that come up in my mind when I first heard of PhilConstruct Visayas Run.

Of course, I was not disappointed to be in a room of engineers during the press conference.

PhilConstruct Visayas Industry Run press conference

But a bit disappointed that they’re not giving away paints and sacks of cement on their race (Kidding!). But, good news is that they’ll be giving away GPS watches (Garmin) for their raffle, on top of trophies and prizes for the top placers, and shirts and medals for finishers. But there are more reasons, than having a chance of winning a Garmin, to join this event:

1. Visit the San Pedro Calungsod Templete. Unknown to many, the templete was build with the help from Cebu Contractors Association.

Photo from calungsod.cdn.ph

Even if you’re not Catholic, it will be great to visit it as it is an officially declared heritage landmark of Cebu. Cebu is home of some of the great artists and designers, and seeing this creation is one way of experiencing Cebuano’s ingenuity.

The organizers will provide a free pick-up service for the participants to the San Pedro Calungsod Templete, starting and finish line area. The pick-up point will probably be in Plaza Independencia. (We’ll keep you posted with updates.)

2. Help build more environment-friendly green classrooms in Cebu, a project of Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers (PICE). PICE will be the beneficiary of the PhilConstruct Visayas Run, half-marathon in Cebu.

PICE created Project Green Engineering Philippines (PGEP) to help address the climate change problem. One of the PGEP projects is the PHILGREEN SCHOOL, which aims to build classrooms that are more earth-friendly. From PICE website:

“The school buildings were tailored and designed based on the site and local climate conditions, culture and community. Locally available sustainable and indigenous materials are used in order to reduce natural resource consumption and enhance the comfort quality for the occupants.”

It’s a nationwide campaign. In Cebu, the first PHILGREEN SCHOOL classroom was build in Ocaña Central School, Carcar City. The next will be in Pakn-an, Mandaue City.

Photo from PICE

3. Get a new PR (personal record or PB – personal best) for half-marathon (or for your 12K/6K/3K run), or simply run in the scenic SRP (South Road Properties). It’s rare to find a race in Cebu that uses SRP. And, this is your chance to run the SRP again, or for the first time. Half of the SRP will be closed for this event so you don’t need to worry about dealing with car traffic.

4. Run with our Cebu builders. You will only not run in a heritage site and landmark, San Pedro Calungsod Templete & SRP, but you will also get the chance to run with the people behind it, the people who worked hard for these structures to become reality. Yesterday, during the press conference, the CCA members mentioned that they encourage the other association members to sponsor their staff to join the running event.

This will also be our chance to show our support and appreciation to our dear brothers and sisters in the construction industry.

Photo from calungsod.cdn.ph

5. Run for a Thanksgiving celebration.  Nothing can beat the feeling of experiencing the early morning colors in SRP, the sunrise, which is just a great way to celebrate thanksgiving. (Read about it from lifewithmickie here >>.)

random snapshot from CCM 2013

This running event is created by the CCA / PCA as a thanksgiving celebration. This will be the culminating event for their 3-day exhibit in Waterfront Lahug this coming June. This exhibit has been ongoing for 3 years already, and they are grateful for the wonderful outcome.

And, I guess for everyone of us, it will be a perfect mid-year thanksgiving celebration too for being able to survive half of the year, and to ask for guidance for the upcoming half of the year!

Not to mention, this is definitely a bang-for-your-buck race. Where could you find a half-marathon race in SRP that is that much affordable?

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Let’s support our fellow Cebuano engineers, builders, suppliers of Cebu Construction Association and Philippine Construction Association with their running event. With a running event coming from a dedicated group of people, PhilConstruct Visayas Industry Run will be a good addition to Cebu’s symbolic runs / races that we can be proud of which we can look forward to every year.
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Posted by:

Rose Buenconsejo. A runner who runs after runners, and their stories, and her dream to become a NEDBANK.
Promo Girl, runroo.com
View her aktib race calendar >>