Cebu City Council Proposes Overhaul of Marathon and Fun Run Regulations
In a significant move to modernize sporting event management, Cebu City is considering a new ordinance that would impose higher permit fees and stricter regulations on organizers of marathons and fun runs. The proposal, authored by Councilor David Tumulak and endorsed during the Regular Session on March 24, 2026, aims to replace outdated policies with a comprehensive framework that better addresses the growing scale, cost, and impact of organized foot races in the city.
Revised Fee Structure to Reflect True Regulatory Costs
Under the proposed measure, permit fees will see a substantial increase and be structured based on race distance to more accurately reflect the true cost of regulation. The new fee schedule is as follows:
- Races up to 10 kilometers: P20,000
- Events more than 10 km but less than 21 km: P50,000
- Races from 21 km to below 42 km: P75,000
- Marathons 42 km and above: P100,000
Additionally, organizers will be required to post a performance bond equivalent to 50 percent of the permit fee, which is refundable only upon compliance with cleanup and traffic requirements. Councilor Tumulak emphasized that these revised fees are necessary to cover expenses related to traffic rerouting, personnel deployment, and post-event environmental management. The collected funds will be specifically earmarked for traffic management, public safety initiatives, and environmental monitoring efforts.
Enhanced Policy Framework for Event Management
Beyond the fee adjustments, the ordinance introduces a more rigorous policy framework covering environmental protection, safety protocols, and overall event management. Organizers must now submit a detailed application to the Cebu City Sports Commission (CCSC) for assessment. This process includes securing formal clearance from the Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO), obtaining venue approval, presenting a detailed traffic mitigation scheme, developing a comprehensive deployment plan, and providing a notarized undertaking affidavit to minimize disruptions on major roads.
Furthermore, before any event can proceed, a Mayor's Permit along with a favorable recommendation from the CCSC must be obtained. For high-impact international sporting events such as marathons and ultra-marathons, concurrence from the City Council will also be required, ensuring a higher level of oversight and coordination.
Tighter Safety and Environmental Regulations
A key provision of the proposed ordinance is the ban on single-use plastics, including bottled water and foam food containers. Organizers will be mandated to provide refill stations and utilize reusable or biodegradable materials. They must also deploy waste monitoring teams and ensure that race routes are restored to their original condition after the event concludes.
Safety requirements have been significantly enhanced under the new rules. Organizers must station at least three ambulances along the route, maintain a minimum of 12 communication units, deploy traffic marshals and safety personnel, and provide a safety convoy to assist runners at the tail end of the race. Cutoff times will be strictly enforced as follows:
- 42 km full marathon: 8 hours
- 21 km half marathon: 4 hours
- 16 km race: 3 hours
- 10 km race: 2 hours
- 5 km race: 1 hour
To promote inclusivity, the proposal requires organizers to allocate at least 10 free slots for grassroots athletes, including race kits. It also mandates coordination with local authorities to avoid scheduling conflicts with religious activities and other major events.
Addressing Gaps in Existing Regulations
Councilor Tumulak highlighted that the increasing number of fun runs and marathons, some attracting thousands of participants, has exposed significant gaps in the current regulatory framework. The proposed ordinance consolidates older ordinances such as CO 2309 and 2527, which authorities have deemed insufficient to handle modern logistical demands. The growing size and frequency of these events necessitate more formal integration of traffic mitigation plans, rerouting schemes, crowd management strategies, and emergency response coordination—elements that were not adequately addressed in previous regulations.
This comprehensive approach aims to ensure that Cebu City can host sporting events safely and sustainably, balancing the interests of organizers, participants, and the community at large.
