After a hectic year, I wanted to take it easy this month, but how can you stop tradition? Besides, it’s doubly memorable since the Cebu Midnight Run, was celebrating its tenth Anniversary. That’s a decade of noctornal running. So it’s back to work and last December 11, the race took off from the Cebu Sports Club. It seemed only yesterday when then sports manager Bingo Santos and I conceptualized the race as an event for the club members with the participants going to “simbang gabi” a few hours later. As I mentioned earlier, I wanted to beg off but I just couldn’t afford to frustrate the continuing efforts of current sports manager Rey Fuentes III and F&B manager Raymond Federigan who incidentally ran his first race, a 10K distance. Oh yes, if you noticed, there was a 10K category added to the original 5K. That’s because we are marking 10 years. As usual the field was limited since we want a leisure run, but we had notable entries like Lexmark CEO Chris Burdette and Aboitiz’ Jovy Tan among others. Bonifacio Monjas took advantage of the absence of top runners to win the 10K run in 31:40:56 while Joseph Emia and Runner’s Leo Abello clocked 34:16:90 and 35:34:78 to place second and third respectively. In the distaff side, former champion Christy Tutor stamped her class annexing the crown in 46:27:27. Analisa Dacayana came in second in 51:33:54 while Mae Sherina Advincula pocketed third in 54:43:11. In the 5K category, Charlie Berberio was unstoppable as he ruled the race in 18:41:34. Rey Sumayang placed second in 24:52:33 while John Paulo Ernane settled for third in 25:02:15. In the women’s category, it was Leonora Martus in 27:57:11. Coming in second was Jocejane Alcoriza in 32:05:98 while Elizabeth Zeth wound up third in 33:11:78. Ultramarathoner Twinkle Ignacio won for best costume (as usual) with 75 year -old Rening Ylaya winning the oldest runner award. The race couldn’t have lasted this long if not for our loyal sponsors who still continue to support the longest midnight run in the country. A big thanks to City Sports Club, Cebu Micmic Solon for the continued hosting of the race. Cebu Holdings Inc, Cebu Business Park under Clement Del Rosario and Ronald Ybanez, Lilio Lim of Waterfresh Drinking Water, Hedy Bascon of Island Grill Express (who incidentally ran too), Jens Funk of Rudy Project who never fails to support the run, giving out eyewear and sports watches. Muchas Gracias to Avon’s Boy Paredes, Agnes Puno of the Athlete’s Foot, Planet Sports, Sun Cellular, Dennis Delgado of Workout Fitmess Center, Josie Uy of Stocks R Us, for the beautiful Italian trophies, Metrografix, Runnr, Pryce Gases Inc. Aguilon Construction and Casa Ilongga.
PLDT-Smart 10 Miler
Smart’s Grace Ruperto announced that the second edition of the PLDT-Smart 10 Miler will be staged on January 29,2012 at the Plaza Independencia. Besides the 10 miles (16km) there will also be a 3K, 5K and 10K categories. Registration starts January 4 at Runnr Ayala Center and Toby’s Sm City.