Gaisano Country Mall to stage virtual ‘Cyclothon’

CEBU, Philippines —  After laying low last year because of the Covid-19 pandemic, Gaisano Country Mall is back in action, this time with a virtual ‘Cyclothon’ set from October 23 to November 7.

It is among the highlights of the mall’s 28th anniversary celebration.

“We wanted to try something new. We’ve done many running events already, so we decided to do this cycling event,” said Gaisano Country Mall’s operations manager Charmine Nograles in a press conference last Saturday at GCM’s Lighthouse Restaurant in Barangay Banilad, Cebu City.

Being a virtual race, it allows non-Cebuanos to join the action at the comfort of their own place.

The categories featured are the 30-kilometer fun ride, 100K advanced, and 300K elite.

Active Hub’s Theresa Mae Conson reminds everyone involved come race period to strictly follow all health and safety protocols. Group rides are also being discouraged to avoid mass gatherings.

Gift certificates and vouchers will be given away to the top three finishers in each class. For non-Cebuano winners, the vouchers can be used via Lazada or Shopee.

Some of Cebu’s top cyclists in Kristianne Lim and Jezerell Baguio are being tapped as event ambassadors.

Each of the distance covered should be recorded via GPS and be posted through https://www/facebook.com/groups/gaisanocountrymallvirtualcyclothon .

For registration, the basic kit fee is P850 inclusive of a race shirt, medal, loot bag, and raffle ticket while the jersey kit is pegged at P1, 750 with a race jersey, medal loot bag and raffle ticket. Vaccinated cyclists will get a special discount.

More than the fun and prizes at stake, those who will take part in the fund-raising event will get their money’s worth and time as proceeds will go to Dream Big Project Foundation.

Kristina Marie Ocio of Dream Big Project thanked the Gaisano Country Mall for choosing them again as its beneficiary, saying that many less fortunate individuals, mostly children, will benefit from it through their community panties and feeding programs.

On the other hand, Gaisano Brothers Merchandising, Inc. COO Alyssa Jan Gaisano said holding the event is their way of helping promote a healthy and active lifestyle among the Cebuanos at this time of pandemic.