Explosive cast

CEBU - It will be a battle of champions when the Holiday Gym and Spa “Run to the Max” 10 Miler fires off on Oct. 12 at the Holiday Gym and Spa Parking Lot. Heading the explosive cast are former Milo Marathon national record holder Cresenciano Sabal and national team member Ailyn Tolentino. Providing stiff competition are Cebu’s undisputed marathon queen and 2008 Mt. Kinabalu Climbaton fourth placer Leszl Gitaruelas, Milo Marathon Cebu champion Madelyn Carter, Mt. Kinabalu Climbaton veteran Merlita Aris and 2008 Mizuno – Shell Sinulog Half Marathon champion Elmer Bartolo. Also out to give the seeded runners a run for their money are Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon 4th placer (10k division) Mendel Lopez, Eugene and Joel Delposo, Reiz Enriquez and Philip Dueñas. Other names to watch are Cebu’s top executive female runner Millete Chiongbian who was also third placer in the Milo Marathon Cebu Leg and former national triathlon record holder Nonoy Jopson. Other prominent runners already entered in the race are Councilor Edgar Labella, retired Ombudsman Ed Canton, ABS-CBN’s Haide Acuña, the Guardo brothers, Atan, Jerry and Jeson, former Mandaue City sports director Cheryl Quano, Danao sports commissioner Boying Rodriguez, Judge Gabby Ingles and Chris Aldeguer. Of course, the Cebu Executive Runners Club that will be sending over 20 members to the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon are running in full force. Rox Gym in Lapulapu City is fielding over 50 runners while we are still awaiting the other clubs like the Mandaue Runners, Kabangis, Pryce Gas, A2Z, Sight First and CRRC. The champions in the 10-miler (16km) will receive P7,000, the second placers P3,000 and the third placers P2,000. Fourth placers pocket P1,000 while the fifth placers are assured of P500. In the 5k category, the champions (male and female) will receive P3,000, the second placers P2,000 and the third placers P1,000. All participants will receive singlets and will get a chance to win a New Balance shoes in the raffle. New balance will also give 15 percent discount on shoes and apparel for all participants. The Holiday Gym and Spa Run to the Max Health Run is also sponsored by Globe, One White Tea, Sykes, Hidden Spring, Rush Fitness Water, Zero Cal, Athlete’s Foot, Killer Bee, Wild Fm, 90.7 Crossover, Twin Bee Graphics and J. Eugenio Concepts. Registration is now ongoing at the PSC office at the Cebu City Sports Center until Thursday. Runners may claim their singlets and numbers on Friday and Saturday at the Holiday Gym and Spa in Banilad. The race is also backed by SEIKO Service Center, Eruf and the Philippine Sports Commission Reg VII.

Friendship Run

The second Friendship Run was held last Sunday at the Cebu Business Park. During the press conference at the Café Laguna Garden, I told organizer Loida Genova Milo Marathon champions Crescenciano Sabal and Ailyn Tolentino will win. Charlie’s Jerry Wonder asked me if I was God because I already know who will win. I told Jerry not to wonder because yes, I’m a “God” according to Dr. Renaldo Ramiro. I’m the God of Running (mayroon ba noon?). Anyway, true to what I said Sabal and Ailyn won with plenty to spare. I also remembered Ailyn as a 12-year old competing in the Nike Pharmaton Circuit in Cagayan de Oro where she hails. Sabal, a former Milo Marathon record holder (2:21) clocked 31:38 to repulse Davao’s Elmer Bartolo who came in second in 32:37 and Reiz Enriguez who settled for third in 33:45. Deposed champion Eugene Delposo placed fourth in 34:25. In the distaff side, Ailyn timed 39:37 to claim the title while relegating Leszl Gitaruelas to second place in 40:11. Madelyn Carter wound up third in 41:37. In the 5k category, SWU’s John Philip Dueñas of coach Honor Corpin’s, SWU track team reigned supreme in 16:29 with Mendel Lopez and Joel Delposo placing second and third in 19:34 and 16:57 respectively. In the women’s division, Mary Jane Beboso clipped Joery Lee to win in 21:22. Lee clocked 21:26 for second place while Merlita Arias completed the top three with a 22:01. 

CERC Runners Step Up Training

The Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon – bound CERC runners have intensified their training with 30 kilometers long runs on Sundays. Hitting the streets as early as 4:00 a.m., are Dr. Vic Verallo, Jesse Taborada, Hearty Satina, Dodong Sulatre, Rudy Tindugan, Jacs Jacalan, Steve Ferraren, Annie Neric, Jane Ong, Millete Chiongbian, Dr. Rosan Trani, Roy Trani, Roel Militar, Pearl Jacalan, John Pages, Jasmin Pages, J.C. Pineda and latest addition Tony del Prado. Also joining the group in Singapore are Dr. Susan Verallo aiming for her first 10k run, veterans Leszl Gitaruelas Merlita Arias and Madelyn Carter. Chris Aldeguer who will soon join the Executives joined us for breakfast last Sunday at the City Sports Club. Chris is running in the Las Vegas Marathon also on Dec.7 (same as Singapore) while Dr. Yong L. Larrazabal and Dr. Peter Mancao depart this week for the Chicago Marathon. I’m likewise skipping Singapore since I’ll be with the Philippine Masters’ team to the Asian Masters Athletics Championship in Chiang Mai, Thailand. However if my task of directing two races MOVE 5K (Nov. 30) and Midnight Run (Dec 13) gets in the way, I’ll be force to stay home. Good luck to you guys!