Hundreds Join AFP CentCom’s First Fun Run in Cebu

Around 400 running enthusiasts in Cebu joined the first fun run on December 9 staged inside the headquarters of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Central Command in Camp Lapulapu, Lahug, this city.

Dubbed the “Colorful Night Party Run,” runners took part in navigating the course for 3K, 5K, and 10K categories set up inside the CentCom headquarters, a race course made challenging as the run took place in the evening.

At 6:00 p.m., the race kicked off with a video presentation showing the advocacy behind the fun run.

“This is to promote our advocacy which is to encourage support for our troops, especially the frontline soldiers who are battling terrorism in Mindanao,” explained Lt. Col. Medel Aguilar, assistant chief of staff for the Civil Military Operations of CentCom here.

Aguilar said that Rio 2016 Olympian, Mary Joy Tabal, spoke before the runners before the race, urging them to support the Filipino soldiers. By watching their advocacy video, Aguilar said this gave the fun run a new meaning for the participating runners who were composed of not only soldiers but also civilians.

Some parents who ran the course tagged their children along with them, making the race a family affair, while some runners as old as 60 were also seen racing through the course that featured bright and colorful Christmas lights put up along the road.

At the finish line, runners were greeted by an impromptu party as the area was flooded with bubbles blown from a foam machine, while dancing, colorful lights lit up the suds.

Aguilar, who also ran in the 5k category, is hopeful that other civilian organizations and government agencies will hold more fun runs with CentCom to rally support for the government troops. Runners’ Club, a private organization, initiated the first fun run.

“We’re looking at holding the fun run every quarter from now on. We’re ready to support our partner agencies that will want to initiate the race with us,” he said. (rmn/PIA Cebu)