Respect the elders

At 49 years old, Herman Cuanico of Silay City, Negros Occidental, looks old, maybe it’s because “wala siyay ngipon.”  I even  called him “manong” before I discovered that I’m older than him by 17 years.  Anyway this “old man” surprised a field of almost 100 runners when he won the 4th edition of the Coast to Coast 65K Ultramarathon last Saturday  in Toledo City. 

The race started at the Cebu Provincial Capitol, proceeded to the Transcentral Highway and finished at the Toledo City Sports gym.  I remembered Herman as the runner who had a backpack while running the initial Coast to Coast Ultra in 2011. 

I offered to  get his bag but he declined. I suspected he might have a gold bar or shabu stacked there.  Anyway, he finished 12th over-all in that race won by another Ilonggo, Aivan Villalion of Sipalay, Negros Occidental.  Last Saturday, Herman who is a late bloomer in long distance running, started like a house on fire, securing a  one-kilometer lead from the rest of the field, composed mostly of first-timers.  Herman came in second to Robert Daang last year in the third edition  and  vowed to do better this year. 

At the half-way mark, I told Herman if he maintains his space, he’s going to win.  When the smoke cleared, Herman  reigned, winning in  6 hours  50 minutes and 01 seconds or frustrate Philip Maloloy-on who settled for second in 6:59:12.  Jack Neil Labajo pocketed third in 7:29:12. 

The rest of the top 10 are 4th Dars Dejoras (7:42:26),5th Mark Ocampo (8:02:22), 6th, Alberto Abias (8:05:66), 7th, Francis Codillo (8:11:16) 8th, John Paul Blanco (8:21:02) 9th, Almene Wenceslao (8:21:02) and 10th, Edwin Ciliban (8:44:42). 

In the distaff side, veteran ultramarathoner Presciosa Sanchez stamped her class as she ruled the race in 8:23:26.  Maryluz Shimizu and Marly Busa finished second in third in 9:08:40 and 9:11:15 respectively.  Rosalie Ardente wound up fourth in 9:51:34 while  Edna Gerali was fifth in 10:23:13. 

The rest of the top ten are  6th Arlene Pepito (10:36:15), 7th Emmylou Tapulado (10:48:10), 8th Mernen Jane Calumba (11:36:49) 9th Dins Domingo (11:41:10) and 10th Jessica Arevalo (11:44:31). Race organizer  Jonel Mendoza of Frontrunner Magazine, who was responsible for bringing ultra-running in Cebu in 2010 and yours truly wish  to thank  the city of Toledo under Mayor John Henry Osmena, the Toledo City Hospital and Toledo City traffic for  and to those whose names escape us for  the moment, Daghang Salamat. And by the way, a big thanks to former the Freeman scribe Marigold Lebumfacil who is now executive assistant to the mayor. 

We would also like to congratulate the first timers for passing their baptism of fire (“yes pwerteng inita ang rota, murag kayo”).  Dr. James Guardiaro  and  Nestor Guardiaro of Chong Hua who fielded 22 participants.  Parklane, G6 and Igat runners, Congratulations to you all!

RUN FOR THE RIVERS

Registration to the Run for the Rivers set on June 22 is  ongoing at Runnr Ayala, Cebu City Sports Center (Athletics Office), Toby’s SM City and Casa Ilongga at Robinsons Fuente.  Entry fees are Php 100 (bib only) and Php 250 (singlet and bib) for the 3K, Php 250 (singlet and bib) for the 5K, Php 350 (singlet and bib) for the 21K.  Providing entertainment during the awarding are  Paul Jake Castillo, the Wonggoys Acoustic Band and Elvisaya, the Elvis of the Visayas.