“We have decided to forget everything. For those who threatened to boycott (the Aboitiz Run), it is their right to join or not. I am closing the issue already,” Uytiepo told Sun.Star Cebu.

Two organizers also clarified that they are not implementing a ban on runners.

“Raffy is entitled to his own opinion but he can’t threaten to reject any runner to join our event because firstly, he is not part of the organizing team of Milo. Precing (Capampangan) is,” said Milo Marathon local organizer Ricky Ballesteros.

Ballesteros is the organizer of both the Milo Marathon in October and The Don Sergio Osmeña Sr. (DSOS) Run on Sept. 9.

Raffy said in his column in The Freeman last Monday that his team, including technical lead Precing Capampangan, will reject those who threatened to boycott the Aboitiz run next year from all their races.

Capampangan has been handling the technical aspect of the Milo Marathon since 2002.

“I have worked with Capampangan since 2002 and we haven’t encountered any problems with him and his group and they are in the technical aspect, not in accepting the registration,” said Ballesteros.

Warrior 50K organizer Jonel Mendoza also said he will not ban anyone from his races.
Uytiepo is the race director of Mendoza’s ultra-marathon, a post he served in the first two ultramarathons in Cebu.

“I won’t ban runners from my event. I don’t see any reason why I should ban runners who are voicing legitimate views,” Mendoza was quoted as saying by Sun.Star Cebu.

Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña previously pledged to set aside funds for the repair of the tracks once City Hall starts earning from its South Road Properties (SRP) project. With the recent down payment by SM Prime Holdings Inc. of P677 million for the SRP lot it purchased, Osmeña says the City now has funds for the repair.

CEBU CITY SPORTS CENTER TRACK OVAL. The Cebu City Government is set to replace the 8-lane 400-meter rubberized track oval of the Cebu City Sports Center. The facility will be closed during the repairs, which could take from 2 to 3 months. Click on photo to enlarge image. (PHOTO BY MAX LIMPAG)

Cebu City Councilor Sylvan “Jack” Jakosalem said City Hall will immediately bid the contract out once funds are allocated.

CCSC manager Ricky Ballesteros said repair would take from 2 to 3 months. Ballesteros said the CCSC will be closed while the track is being repaired.

With the closure of the CCSC oval, Jakosalem said he will ask Osmeña to allow runners at the SRP. This is great news for Cebu runners—not only will we be getting a new track oval in a few months time, we’d get the chance to run at the SRP, which is a great route to run on, based on Cebu City Marathon experience.