Several times in a week, broadcaster Roy Bustillo could be seen with his buddies making the rounds of the Perdices Coliseum rubberized track in Dumaguete City .

"We're trying to get in shape for the Dumaguete Adventure Marathon," Bustillo, president of the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas Negros Oriental Chapter, explained.

Newshen Florence Baesa, president of the Dumaguete Press, Radio-TV Club, who takes long walks each morning, is also thinking of joining the Dumaguete Adventure Marathon on November 22.

"There are many categories to choose from. I may not run the entire 34 kilometers but there are three, five and 10-kilometer routes for beginners too," she said.
Along with other Dumaguete journalists, they'll compose the media team, who will not just be mere journalists covering an event, but will be actual participants in the event they will be covering.

The excitement over the first-ever adventure marathon in this part of the country has also caught the attention of other media personalities in other cities. One news anchor of a giant television news network has already called to enlist for the marathon.

"This marathon will be different from the other marathons being held in the country," Dr. Perry Mequi, director of the Foundation University Institute of Youth Sports for Peace promised.

Unlike marathons that are run on flat urban roads, the participants of the adventure marathon will see scenic spots from Dumaguete's Rizal Boulevard to the elevated barangay Calabnugan in Sibulan town, and barangays Balili and Palinpinon in Valencia town before heading back to Dumaguete, ending at the Sidlakang Negros Village.

“Marathoners have become tired of running on flat surfaces. We're now giving them a different kind of marathon,” Mequi, who is the Dumaguete Adventure Marathon's primemover, said.

The Dumaguete Adventure Marathon takes off from some of the famous adventure marathons held in the Great Wall of China , the Polar Circle and the African wilderness, where participants make their way through natural wonders or historical sites.

The concept has already attracted several runners to register online.
The marathon, which has a maximum distance of 34 kilometers, also gives runners the option to run only three, five or 10 kilometers.

Though slightly over the distance of a half-marathon, the intrepid road runner and adventure seeker will be challenged by a 3-kilometer uphill ascent to Barangay Balili starting at 110 meters above sea level and up to 390 meters above sea level.

Coming down, the runners will be treated to natural scenic sights and views of the famous Cuernos de Negros (Horns of Negros) and the islands of Cebu, Bohol and Siquijor across the Mindanao Sea .

With technical support of the Metro Dumaguete Roadrunners Club and with the support of the local government units of Dumaguete City , Sibulan , Valencia and even Bayawan City , the annual event has now seen the participation of professionals, students, as well as children with disabilities.

Interested participants may learn more about the Dumaguete Adventure Marathon by calling Foundation Unviersity at (6335) 4229167 local 55, or by logging on to the Dumaguetemarathon.com website.*AP

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