OVER 137 RUNNERS JOINS FIRST EVER RUN FOR LOVE IN MANOLO FORTICH

Love the Philippines, Love Manolo Fortich, and Love for running

SUNDAY—The 2nd Municipal Tourism Week Celebration last September 2024 extends its cause as it witnessed its first ever Run for Love event that welcomed over 137 runners within the local community and neighboring municipalities and cities early morning of October 13, 2024 as runners gather at the Tourist Rest Area, Barangay Tankulan, Manolo Fortich.

The running event, hosted by the Local Government Unit of Manolo Fortich through the Municipal Tourism Office, in partnership with the ManFort Runners Club designed the event for the purpose of exploring new routes within the municipality that enhances the chance of exploring local tourist areas within the vicinity, and for donating the proceeds to a greater cause.

Tourism Chairperson Coun. Rina E. Quiño further explained in an interview on Sunday morning the initiative of the event and the beneficiaries of the cause, “It connects the Department of Tourism’s tagline nga love the Philippines, and the municipal tagline, ‘love Manolo Fortich’, and love for running. It’s giving back to the community kay kani siya, run for a cause man. Ang proceeds ani, mupadolong sa mga registered PWD beneficiaries sa municipality.”

The running event comprised the 10 Kilometers, 5 Kilometers, and 3 Kilometers distances for both male and female category each with ages ranging from 36 and above, 19-35, below 18, and below 12 for the 3 KM Category. The Tourist Rest Area grounds served as the starting and finish line proceeding to the Sitio Pol-oton Route to the McArthur Memorial Landmark for the 10 KM Category, each with turning points depending on the category.

Cagayan de Oro City 10KM runner Ramil Neri, 36 years old, with a recorded time of 38 minutes emerged as first placer of the route that consisted of plain roads, rough roads, uphill, and downhill. He shares how he looks forward in every race he participates, “Malipayon kay naa baya mga prizes, usa kana nga goal na makasulod jud kada dula para pang maintenance sa upcoming activities labi na nga naa pay mga upcoming dula.”

Furthermore, winners of the event bagged their own medals aside from the finisher medals while a raffle draw was also led by the Municipal Tourism Office by the end of the race and winners were able to receive a sack of rice and Department of Tourism (DOT) merch such as caps, fans, and ballpens.

The Run for Love fun run event concluded with the sole purpose of bringing together runners of different ages from various localities, exploring places through new routes, and discovering tourism of Manolo Fortich, promoting a healthy competition and sportsmanship, wellness, and health, as well as running for a cause and benefiting those who are in dire need.