Hitting our Quota

When I sat down with Quota International President June Chiongbian and project coordinator Dr. Mitty Igaña to plan the Quota 12K Classic, we only targeted 500 runners. But two days before the race, we had to stop registration as we ran out of race numbers and singlets with over 1,000 runners already entered. Last Sunday at the Terraces in the Ayala Center Cebu, over 1,200 participants answered the starter’s gun. It had an international flavor as we had Iranians, Nepalese, Japanese, Swiss and a Kenyan, joining the race. After being disqualified in the Rotary Run for using a number that was not his, Kenyan Simon Losiaboi was back in business when he clocked 39 minutes and 37 seconds to frustrate the field that included Davao’s Elmer Bartolo and Joebert Carolino. Bartolo wound up second in 41:05 while Carolino pocketed third in 42:13. Metrografix Jess Gonzaga salvaged fourth in 42:26. The rest of the top ten are 5th Reiz Enriquez (43:44), 6th Paul Zapico (45:03), 7th Noel Tillor (45:31) 8th Jordan Dolpalco, 9th Sherwin Manangil 42:29 and 10th Roger Saldo (48:50). In the distaff side, Mary Grace Delos Santos continued her dominance of Cebu races as she took another crown in 48:29. Madelyn Carter again played bridesmaid, finishing second in 50.21 Merlyn Alin salvaged fourth in 58:10 while Emily Chiongbian wound up fifth in 59:45 the rest of the top ten are 6th Emily Rosas (1:01:38) 7th Mischelle Discaya (1:04:04) 8th Josiefe Leyson (1:08:19), 9th Annie Neric (1:10:03) and 10th Rachel Limtong (1:15:00). In the 6K division, Reprinel Banzon, son my ward Ruth in the Nike Running Club, finally nailed a major title as he ruled the run in 20 minutes and 20 second. Jorry Icong and Philip Dueñas clocked 20:24 and 20:53 to place second and third respectively. In the women’s division, Mary Joy Tabal reigned supreme in 24:43. Aiza Suaybaguio was second in 26:20 with Aimee Aranaydo completing the top three in 34:26. The hearing-impaired children performed a musical number using sign languages while Pilipinas Got Talent contestant Gilbert Amante (alias Chocolate), provided entertainment with his funny antics and snake show.

Kenyans Beatable

A few days before the Cebu City Marathon, my “tokayo” Raffy Osumo asked me who I believe would win. The Kenyans were of course favored but I said if national marathon record holder Vertek Buenavista is around, I’ll bet my eggs este…marbles on him. As a former national coach myself, I’ve scouted the Kenyans and found out these were not the very fast ones. Based on Vertek’s consistent clocking he could have easily won the CCM. Vertek’s national record of 2:18:50 is world –class. In last year’s Standard Chatered Hong Kong Marathon, Vertek’s was the only Asian in the top ten dominated by, you guess it right, Kenyans. My prediction proved true, when Vertek let the Kenyans eat Filipino dust after he won the Century Tuna Superbods Run in Global City, Taguig. Now my “tokayo” is almost certain I’m a seer or guy who possesses a “black tonque”. Vertek humiliated Willy Tanui as he came from behind to beat the top-seed Kenyan. The Cebu City Marathon champion Tanui, registered a 1:10:13 to finish second while another Kenyan Willy Rotich came in third in 1:10:15. See, the Kenyans can be beaten after all.

Ultramarathoners

As I was writing this column, Cerc member Bro. Carlo Bacalla sent me a text message informing that he finished the 102 – kilometer Bataan Death March Ultramarathon. Bro. Carlo placed 17th out of 142 runners including 13 females, clocking 14 hours and 38 minutes. On the other hand Haide Acuña was equally amazing finishing the grueling run in 17 hours 40 minutes (that’s almost a day). Haide ranked 88th out of 103 finishers. Congratulations to both of you Ultramarathoners!