Pan Run: Furious Runners Vent Online Over Costly Race, Lack of Support
PAN RUN – What was supposed to be a fun and competitive running event in Cebu has turned into a social media storm after the St. Ignatius Run drew heavy criticism from disappointed participants.
The recently held St. Ignatius Run in Cebu has sparked widespread criticism after participants voiced frustrations online about the event’s costly registration fees and inadequate support for runners.
Many participants noted the shortage of hydration stations and Pocari Sweat during the race, which left several runners struggling in the hot weather. At the finish line, finishers were reportedly offered only pandesal and bananas, with no finisher shirts and no prize money for podium winners—benefits usually expected in major running events.
One Facebook post that quickly went viral slammed the organizers, saying, “Hoyyyy St. Ignatius Run, sure mo mao rani inyong gihatag namo? Wa mo gabae? Lamya ni inyong pandesal mga yawa mo…” The post resonated with fellow runners, many of whom shared their disappointment and expressed regret over joining this race instead of other fun runs scheduled in Cebu on the same day.
A well-known running team also released a statement expressing their dismay over the handling of the event. They highlighted that registration fees were ₱1,800 for 21 km, ₱1,500 for 16 km, ₱1,200 for 6 km, and ₱1,000 for 3 km—amounts considered steep given what participants received in return. The group confirmed that while medals were distributed, snacks were extremely limited and only small cups of Pocari Sweat were available at the finish line.
Most notably, the absence of finisher shirts and cash prizes for podium winners fueled further criticism. While the team sarcastically thanked the organizers for the “wonderful experience,” they hinted that their real sentiments were far less flattering.
Online discussions have since been filled with disappointed comments, with many runners calling for greater accountability and transparency from race organizers. Some suggested that the experience should serve as a wake-up call for both participants and organizers to set clearer standards for running events in Cebu.
For now, the backlash continues to spread across social media, turning what should have been a celebration of fitness and community into a heated discussion on how not to run a fun run.
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