680-kilometer run for cancer patients held

The Negros loop 680-kilometer core group led by Rolando Espina Jr. (3rd from right) join the “Hope for Kids with Cancer” run to give hope to kids with cancer. (Photo courtesy of Rolando Espina Facebook)

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – A 680-kilometer run for a cause around Negros Island will be held on Saturday, January 20, for the benefit of children suffering from cancer.

Negrense endurance athlete Rolando Espina Jr., who is based in Ireland, organized the activity dubbed “Hope for Kids with Cancer” to give hope to kids with cancer.

Espina will run, along with his crew, for five to six days, targeting to raise €2,000. “Your generosity is greatly appreciated and will be a great help to the children suffering from the ‘Big C,’” he said.

As of this writing, the GoFundMe page has raised over €1,000.

The 680-kilometer loop around Negros Island will kick off in Bacolod City at 3 p.m., with overnight stops in Sipalay City, Sagay City, Dumaguete City, and Guihulngan City in Negros Oriental.

With Espina are local ultraboy Brekz Cabrillos and alternate runners as crew and drivers: Jan Christopher Chua, JC Fregil Chua, Neil Stephen Valenzuela, and Frunk Lin Echevaria, all from Bacolod City, and logistical support crew Christian James Togonon Alayon and Captain Honey Labaro Choi George.

The crew will run the following routes: Bacolod to Sipalay (165km+) Leg, Sipalay to Dumaguete (175km+) Leg, Dumaguete to Guihulngan (116km+) Leg, Guihulngan to Sagay (115km+) Leg, and Sagay to Bacolod City (85km+) Leg.

The activity also encourages local runners and the Negros Island communities to support the five-man team by running with them at a controlled pace.

For those who want to contribute to this run-for-a-cause can check out Espina’s GoFundMe page at https://gofund.me/79b84146.