Running drought

I took a quick trip to Bacolod and Iloilo over the weekend to accompany my Los Angeles-based sister Sonnie and her husband Junjie Bacaling. It was also a chance to talk with Masskara Move Run organizer Dr. Pinay Ganchoon to plan this year’s race after the successful staging of the run last year. Despite being first time organizers, the Bacolod Parm group that also include Dr. Bong Gayles and Dr. Andrew Sanchez, are looking forward to a bigger and better race. In fact Dr. Pinay said they might make this year’s race a 10K or 10-miler event. After I stopped organizing races in Bacolod, runners are on a “diet” with having the Milo Marathon as the only running event in the City. I was with good friend mayor Bing Leonardia on my flight to Bacolod and asked his support of the Masskara run. Well, Bing assured me he’s backing the race even as I jokingly told him that another good friend and classmate Monico Puentevella is running too. It’s common knowledge in Bacolod that Monico is running for mayor versus Bing. It would not be a surprise if still another good friend Art Valdez, husband of former mayor Joy and head of the Mt. Everest Philippine Team that successfully scaled the highest peak in the world, joins the fray. Running events have indeed become scares in Bacolod. My cousin Larry Kilayco who operates the Northwest Inn, (where we stayed), wants me to organize a midnight run around SM City. The venue is perfect and I’m sure SM marketing manager Tina Poblador Magbojos would welcome this proposal Tina used to be advertising manager for The Freeman.

Iloilo

The next day we were off to Iloilo City. It was the same predicament that the Iloilo runners voiced. Since I took a leave in directing the Dinagyang Half-Marathon two years ago, only the Milo Marathon remained. It’s precisely one reason why runners are dwindling. Anyway I promised City Sports coordinator Jojo Castro that I will revive the Dinagyang Half Marathon next year. While in Iloilo I met an old friend Danny Garganera a former band member in high school who is now a keyboard player who performs in parties and gatherings in Iloilo City. Dan (probably a relative of Joel Garganera), has invited me to perform in a mini-concert as Elvis. Well I’ll probably say yes when I could get away from my running and start rehearsing. I’m “All Shook Up”.

Padyak Pinoy

Race organizer, Joe Deresas called to inform that the Unified Cycling of Central Philippines and Dynamic Outsource Solution, staged the “Padyak Pinoy Philippine Invitational Challenge Visayas Minadanao Qualifying Road Race” yesterday March 14 and today. On the first day the massed start race and individual time trial blasted off in front of the Cebu City Hall and covered 103 kilometers before finishing in Boljoon. The next day, the cyclists will cover the 40-kilometer Boljoon to Oslob and back. The top 5 winners in both Visayas and Mindanao regions will qualify for the Padyak Pinoy International Tour on May 1-9. For more details contact Joe Deresas Cellphone No. 09229684012.

Sinulog Half Marathon Certificates

Cebu Executive Runners Club president Jesse Taborada announced that finishers in the Mizuno-Asia Miles Sinulog Half-Marathon held last January, may claim their certificates of finish at the Sugangan Restaurant along J. Llorente St.

Kona Ironman Triathlon

One-legged triathlete Rudy Fernandez called from Baguio City to inform that we will know next month (April 15) if he will be accepted in the Ford Ironman Triathlon set in October in Kona, Hawaii. Rudy paid the $350 entry fee and has registered in the disabled category (amputee above knee). Rudy is now in deep training in the mountains of Benguet, Mt. Province. The Kona Ironman is the most prestigious triathlon the world where participants are required to complete a 3.8 km swim, 180 km bike and 42.2 km marathon. “Kaya ni Rudy?”, echoed two pretty women Cheryl Retubado and Leslie Arioja of Robinsons Supermarket. Well, Pat Goc-ong of Milo Marathon says “kaya mo yan”.

Note: Congratulations to former Queen of the Road Merlita Arias who got married to Tim Dunkin (no relation to Donuts) last Tuesday.   (THE FREEMAN)