CEBU CITY -- To help boost the country’s tourism industry, a group of airline operators will be spearheading a sporting event: a footrace on the runway.
The Mactan Airline Operators Council (MAOC) will launch the first Runway Fun Run slated on July 16 at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA).
Angelo Gubatina, Vice Chairman of MAOC, said the goal in holding a footrace on the MCIA runway is to kickstart the tourism industry and show that the aviation, airline and travel industries are already in the recovery phase.
“As part of the plan, this is one of the best ways to promote (the industry). We can invite different people to come in and have one goal of welcoming the world back to Cebu,” Gubatina said in a press briefing at MCIA Terminal 2 on Tuesday, July 5.
Ricia Montejo, overall chairman of the organizing committee, assured that the airport’s operation will not be hampered by the footrace as it will be held when the runway is normally closed.
“The fun run will be held from 2:30 a.m. to 5 a.m. which is the normal closure of the runway. There will be few flights that will be affected but we have already taken necessary coordination,” said Montejo.
The fun run on the 3.3-kilometer race track will feature 3-km and 5-km categories.
Registration fees are P400 for the 3-km race and P500 for the 5-km category. The two categories will have the men and women’s divisions.
Gubatina said that aside from prizes for the top finishers, raffle prizes also await the participants.
Aside from free hotel stays, round trip tickets to Istanbul via Turkish Airlines and another round trip tickets to Canada or Unites States via EVA Air will be raffled off.
As part of MAOC’s corporate social responsibility, part of the event’s proceeds will be donated to the Tingo Daycare Center in Olango Island, Lapu-Lapu City.
“Part of the proceeds that will be generated by the fun run will be used for the feeding program and acquisition of learning materials for the daycare center,” said Gubatina.
Gubatina explained that a fun run held on a runway was held in Manila two years ago but was participated only by airline concessionaires.
It will be the first time that a fun run on a runway that is open to the public will be held in the country, he said.
“It’s really a great opportunity to welcome back our tourism for the Philippines and particularly Cebu. It’s the first time that we are going to open the runway to the public so it’s really good to see the public to come in and enjoy the run and have a good view, take photos of the two terminals,” said Montejo.
Organizers are targeting to attract at least 3,000 participants. Those who wish to join the event may register at Radisson Blue, Runners at Ayala Center Cebu or online via https://bit.ly/MCIARunwayFR2022.
Gabutina said if done successfully, MAOC may consider holding the fun run on a regular basis.
“We hope to do it annually. If it’s successful, why not? We can do it on a regular basis,” said Gabutina.