Foreign runners allowed only in 42K race of Cebu Marathon

CEBU, Philippines - A fast-paced race is highly anticipated as the organizers of this year's Cebu Marathon scheduled tomorrow at the Cebu IT Park are allowing foreign runners to compete only in the 42.195-kilometer category.

The previous editions had been dominated by the Kenyans not only in the full marathon, but also in the 21-kilometer run.

Because of this, more Filipino elite runners were discouraged to join the action especially those from outside Cebu.

Taking notice of this, the organizers decided to allow foreign entries to race only in the 42K battle this time.

The all-Filipino class, however, includes even the naturalized ones.

The half marathon, on the other hand, is also going to be a tough one, with the elite runners opting to do the 21K instead.

Even the country's reigning marathon queen Mary Joy Tabal is just joining the 21K run. Tabal made a last-minute decision to join the Cebu Marathon since she had a reserved slot for the event. — Caecent No-ot Magsumbol (FREEMAN)