Runners to flood city streets this am

CEBU, Philippines - Over 6,000 runners will swamp the City's main thoroughfares early morning today as the 2nd Cebu City Marathon unfolds starting and ending at the Asiatown I.T. Park in Brgy. Apas, this city.

The organizing Cebu Executive Runners Club (CERC) promises a better CCM after its highly-successful inaugural run.

With the running boom in Cebu, more fitness buffs are joining the full marathon race, thus, making it a lot harder even for the veterans to get the top spot.

Defending champions Kenyan Wily Tanui and Aileen Tolentino lead the cast of entries in their respective divisions.

Tolentino had a dramatic finish last year as she collapsed as soon as she crossed the finish line due to exhaustion from a neck-to-neck battle with Cebu’s road running queen Mary Grace de los Santos.

With or without De los Santos in the 42K action, a bunch of veteran female runners and some foreigners are gunning to take the crown away from Tolentino.

The fast-rising Mary Joy Tabal is considered a darkhorse after placing third in last year’s National Milo Marathon finals in Manila, even beating De los Santos.

Tabal though don’t want to be pressured as she will just enjoy the race more than anything else.

“I heard there are some Kenyan runners joining the race. Aileen (Tolentino) will defend her crown while more are expecting from me since the Milo Marathon but I don’t want to pressure myself. Whatever I’ve prepared for in my first marathon (Milo), that’s what I’m going to apply again,” said Tabal, the champion in the women’s 5K last year.

Adding up challenge to the runners in the traffic-free route for the entire 42.195-kilometer battle is the inclusion of the subway at the South Road Properties (SRP).

More than that, passing through the tunnel also serves as a “preview” of sort for those who are planning to take part in the 2011 Hong Kong Marathon.

Aside from the fun of running, participants will also be treated to exciting sidelights at the finish line where sponsors are offering some of their products for all finishers and for the raffle draw.

The men behind the CERC are hoping that they will be able to meet all expectations as they aim to be one of Asia’s best marathons. (FREEMAN)