Boxing champs to join G.O.O.D. Run

CEBU, Philippines - Top caliber fighters from Cebu's fabled ALA Boxing Gym led by two-division world champion Donnie "Ahas" Nietes will add glitz and glamour to the first ever Power of Prevention Run for Goiter, Obesity, Osteoporosis,and Diabetes(G.O.O.D) set on March 18 at the Terraces of Ayala Center-Cebu.

The Murcia, Bacolod City-native Nietes, only the fourth Filipino to win two world boxing titles in different weight divisions after Manny Pacquiao, Dodie Boy Peñalosa and Luisito Espinosa, will be running alongside his stablemates Milan "El Metodico" Melindo and AJ "Bazooka" Banal.

Melindo, who hails from Cagayan de Oro City, is the reigning WBO Intercontinental flyweight champion, while Banal currently holds the WBO Asia-Pacific bantamweight belt.

Melindo and Banal will both see action in the 12-kilometer category, while Nietes will run in either the 3K or 6K to save energy as he has a scheduled title bout.

Meanwhile, the organizing American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists-Philippine Chapter (AACE-PC) is expected at least 3,000 fitness buffs to take part in the event aimed at promoting endocrine awareness and well-being.

AACE-PC president Gerry Tan expressed confidence that they can hit, if not surpass, their target number of entries, because some of their patients will also be joining the race.

“Our patients are excited about the event, so we are confident we can hit our target number of entries,” said Tan during a press conference yesterday at Linea Restaurant and Lounge in Cebu IT Park.

Cash prizes are at stake for the top finishers.

The champion in the 21K will pocket P10,000, while the second and third will receive P5,000 and P3,000. The fourth and fifth will get P2,000 and P1,000, while the sixth to 10th will each receive a consolation prize of P500.

The top three in the 12K will take home P5,000, P3,000 and P2,000, while the corresponding prizes for the first three placers in the 3K are P3,000, P2,000 and P1,000.

All the participants have something to look forward to as several activities have been lined up after the races. This include free blood sugar, cholesterol and bone density screening with weight, blood pressure and thyroid checks among others.

Entry forms are available at Runnr in Ayala, Toby’s at SM and Ayala and at the clinics of AACE-PC members.

The deadline for registration is on March 15. For more inquiries, interested parties may contact G.O.O.D. Run chairperson Marsha C. Tolentino at 234-2620 or 253-8335. (FREEMAN)