The Cebu City Government, together with Bornwinner, will stage the Keep Going Cebu City Run for a Cause on Nov. 15 as part of its campaign for Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Week, with the iconic Plaza Independencia serving as the starting and finishing line.
The Cebu City Office for Substance Abuse Prevention (COSAP) and Bornwinner will hold the run for students, young people and sports enthusiasts, with organizers targeting 2,500 participants.
Organizers are encouraging participation not only from people in recovery but also from the city’s 80 barangays and various government agencies.
Registration fees are P750 for the 1K, P850 for the 3K, P950 for the 5K and P1,150 for the 10K.
Proceeds from the registration will support the construction of a Special Drug Education Center.
A virtual run is also available for P950 regardless of distance to cater to runners from other cities and provinces.
Participants may register through https://bit.ly/KeepGoingCebuCity2026.
Run ambassador Jid Durano, who said he has been recovering from drug addiction for six years, said the organizers’ own experiences in recovery helped shape the advocacy behind the event.
“I think the key factor in the ongoing process is the organizing team behind it. As what Sir Greg said, mostly we are recovering. So, our program is anchored in the ideas that we want people to feel,” Durano said.
Durano said the organizers will also prepare an advocacy bib for the race, where runners can write what they want to advocate for.
He said the activity is intended to make participants part of the advocacy rather than simply have them join a race.
Registration includes a statement singlet, advocacy race bib, drawstring bag and medal.
The singlet will feature Cebu City icons, including Magellan’s Cross, the Santo Niño de Cebu image, a traditional jeepney and the Cebu Cordova Link Expressway bridge.
Post-run activities will also include a foam party and live performances by Midnasty and Durano himself.
Race director Diosdado Mabini Jr. said organizers are still securing approvals for the final route and coordinating with the city’s Technical Working Group and other concerned offices on traffic mitigation, roadworks and participant safety.
Mabini said the race will start and finish at Plaza Independencia, with organizers expecting the run to start at 4 a.m. and finish by 6 a.m.
They plan to use one side of each road and will not request full road closures.
COSAP Executive Director Greg Rodriguez, who said he has been sober from alcohol for 11 years, said the run is intended to promote healthier choices and raise awareness about prevention and recovery.
“Through this program, we want to promote a positive and healthy lifestyle while raising awareness that there are better choices and there are better opportunities,” Rodriguez said.
Beyond the run, COSAP will conduct other activities throughout Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Week, including programs in schools and barangays.
The campaign will include digital content and video contests in colleges, poster making contests in elementary and high schools, and a competition recognizing barangays with drug prevention initiatives.
Mental health will also form part of the community programs, with mental health practitioners expected to participate in activities at the barangay level.
The Cebu City run is part of the Keep Going series, with the Keep Going Tabogon Run set for Oct. 18 in Tabogon, Cebu, followed by the Keep Going Maribojoc Run in Maribojoc, Bohol, on Nov. 20.
REGISTRATION LINK: https://bit.ly/KeepGoingCebuCity2026