Milo Marathon

Being a La Sallite, I've always associated myself with the color green. It's also the color of my favorite NBA team, the Boston Celtics until they eventually lost their glitter. Green is also the color of money (US dollar). So it was no different last Sunday when I joined a sea of green that covered every inch of Osmeña Boulevard. I'm talking about the Milo Marathon Cebu Qualifying leg the attracted over 19,000 runners breaking the record for most number of participants in the Milo circuit run nationwide. Coordinator Ricky Ballesteros said Cebu could have gathered over 20,000 if national organizers didn't limit participation. "Nahutdan mi ug race numbers," said Ricky. As expected many-time Cebu leg champion Rogelio Reli now based in Manila, was just too classy for the local bets Joseph Penales of Bohol, Roland Montebon and Mendel Lopez. Reli who is now enlisted in the Philippine Army clocked 1:11:34 to rule the race. Penales came in 40 seconds later while Montebon salvaged third in 1:12:14.

In the distaff side, Christy Sevilleno had to summon her remaining strength to ward off Cebu Mountain Trial Run champion Leizl Gitaruelas in the last kilometer, who stuck to her like a leech, to win in 1:28:21. Liezl who registered 1:29:21 for runner-up honors said she's more competitive this time than in her previous races where Christy would erect a big lead. Well we cannot really gauge Liezl's performance as Christy was still recovering from a 42- kilometer marathon three weeks ago. A runner coming from a marathon should at least rest for three months.

In fairness to Leizl however, she has really improved on her performance despite her hectic schedule as aerobics instructor while attending to her three children. All these questions will be answered when the two rivals compete with the rest of the field in the Milo Finals in October. Despite the tremendous success of the race, there were many complaints coming from the 21K runners, lack of marshals and water. "Tinuod gyod diay ang water problem dinhi sa Sugbo, kay bisan sa dagan wa na ta mainom," said Cebu Executive Runners Club president Roel Militar. Well you can't really have the best of both worlds. It's gonna be my turn to run when the Milo circuit goes to Iloilo City on September 11. Iloilo's field is only 4,500 runners with 140 running in the half-marathon.

Iloilo Sports Events

I'll be in Iloilo City next week to finalize preparations for the Governor's Cup Kiddie's Run in SM City. I'm contemplating of moving the event in order to accommodate more sponsors like Milo and Kiddie Pharmaton. During last week's Scoop Forum at the Baseline restaurant, Milo sports director Pat Goc-ong said Milo is interested to support the race as it involves children.

Already confirming their sponsorship are Icsec Kaplan, King's Oil and Casa Ilongga. Meanwhile, SM City Iloilo marketing manager Kristine Joyce Yap wants me to submit next year's sports events for SM City. We have already agreed to hold an 11- round Swiss system national chess tournament during the Dinagyang Festival were we intend to invite the likes of GMs Eugene Torre and Joey Antonio. Iloilo provincial administrator Boy Mejorada, a chess buff himself, already assured of the Governor's support. We will soon come up with the formal launching of this event. Boy also assured of bigger cash prizes for the Adlaw Sang Iloilo Run which will be now a half-marathon.

Still in Iloilo, the Iloilo Warriors nipped powerhouse Taguig 86-83 in the National Basketball Conference held in the University of San Agustin Gym the other day. Iloilo got a boost in former La Salle Archer Tony Boy Espinosa, an Ilonggo, who tallied 13 points. The Warriors gun for their third straight win on Wednesday when they tackle Cagayan de Oro also at the USA Gym.