CEBU, Philippines – A single mom from Dumaguete City and a former drug user who used running his bridge towards clean living emerged as the biggest winners in the record-breaking Cebu leg of the 38th National Milo Marathon that started at the Cebu Normal University grounds and ended at the Cebu City Sports Center yesterday.
Roselyn Balongcas, a single parent to an 11-year-old boy, was only in her second 21-kilometer race, yet she readily made an impact by besting a field of over a hundred runners with the fastest time of one hour, 40 minutes and 55 seconds in the women's category.
In her first Cebu race, the unfamiliarity of the route gave Balongcas an unexpected advantage since she had to run as fast as she could. She did not have time to relax because she didn’t know where the finish line since and she also didn't know who her possible opponents are.
“I didn’t even know that I was already nearing the finish line. When my companion from Dumaguete said I won, I could hardly believe it. I didn’t expect this to happen. At first, I just wanted to have this singlet and just enjoy the race,” said an ecstatic Balongcas. She missed the qualifying time of 1:35 that would have earned her an all-expense paid trip to Manila for the national finals, but is still qualified to race through the 18-34 age group if she wants to.
Christy Sevilleno-Tutor, Cebu's former road running queen, finished second with the time of 1:49:16, while ultra marathoner Sandra Soliano came out third in 1:49:54 followed by Wilma Lugay (1:59:00) and Patricia Tumulak (1:59:50).
In the men's 21K action, Noel Tillor registered the best time of one hour, 13 minutes and 10 seconds, well within the cut-off time that ensured him of a free trip to the grand finale on December 7 in the Big City.
Although he has already claimed honors not only in ultra marathon but also in several races abroad, Tillor still considers this regional crown his as his best triumph ever, not only because of his personal best time, but also because it's an event that turned his life around.
“I was once hooked into drugs such as marijuana and shabu. I was also a heavy drinker that I got so skinny and unhealthy that when I came herein Cebu City for college, I promised myself to forget about drugs and make a clean living,” confessed the Bogo City-native Tillor.
Jerry Adap, who hails from Tolosa, Leyte and a survivor of super typhoon Yolanda, grabbed the second place honors with a 1:15.21 clocking, while Robert Daang timed 1:17:38, good for third. Former Cebu leg champion Adonis Singson wound up fourth in 1:18:48 and Glenn Arellano placed fifth in 1:19:32.
Daang, Singson, and Arellano along with 83 others also qualified for the national finals. They are entitled to free registration and other perks, but they have to pay for their trip to Manila.
In the 10K class, Kenyan Isaac Simat crossed the finish line first with the time of 33 minutes and 45 seconds, while Kisha Mae Delechos took the top spot in the women's class in 44:53.
John Daryl Manos and Lovely Fe Andrin were the top winners in the 5K with the time of 15:52 and 20:10, respectively, while Adon Bryan Almenio and Cherry Andrin topped the 3K battle in 11:11 and 11:39.
In the cheerdance competition that added color and much to the highly-successful race that drew a record field of over 27,000 entries, University of Cebu reigned supreme in the college division, University of San Carlos in the secondary level and Don Vicente Rama Memorial Elementary School in the elementary category.
UC-METC (Maritime Education Training Center) snared the fastest delegation award, while its sister-school Cebu Technological University got the biggest school delegation honors. Accenture bagged the award for the biggest contingent by a company.
With the tremendous success of the event, Milo Sports Executive Andrew Neri said they are now considering Cebu as one of the possible venues for next year's National Finals. If plans don't miscarry, it would be the first time that the finale will be done outside of Metro Manila.
“First time na talagang di kami naka-encounter ng mga complaints or problems. Ang problem lang ng mga runners na naririnig ko when they cross the finish line is di nila nakuha yung target nila na time. The race was flawless and we give due credit to Ricky (Ballesteros) for a well-executed plan,” said Neri.
Ballesteros, in return, attributed the latest success of Cebu's hosting to the full support and understanding of the Cebuanos as well as all those involved, in one way or another, to the very smooth and well-organized race that is truly one for the books. (FREEMAN)