Midnight showdown

It will enter the books as one of the closest finish in the history of the Cebu Midnight 5K Run. I'm talking of last Sunday's nocturnal race where the top three runners registered identical clocking divided only by split seconds. It was a classic race decided only in the final meters. Multi-titled Rogelio Reli of the Philippine Army had to summon his last remaining strength to ward off Gilbert Luterte and Reiz Enriquez. Actually the three stuck with each other like leeches until Reli made his move in the last 50 meters to edge the duo in 15 minutes and 50:68. Luterte wound up second in 15:50:70 while Enriquez who was leading from the start, clocked 15:50:73. It was almost the same story in the distaff side as Leszl Getaruelas served notice that she's the new marathon queen when she timed 19:05:36 to nip defending champion Christy Sevilleno. The deposed champion Sevilleno registered 19:09:19 to place second while Nina Adan salvaged third in 19:13:28. Former champion Joeyry Lee was a dismal fourth in 19:19. It was one of the strongest field ever assembled for a 5-kilometer race. The other seeded runners where last year's champion Joseph Peñales, who could only manage an 8th place finish, ex-champion Mendel Lopez who came in fourth in 16:17:44 and Roland Montebon, 7th placer in 16:37.

Thanks a Lot

The success of an event is attributed to the sponsors because if there are no sponsors, there are no events. So it's time to thank our backers who made this year's race possible. The City Sports Club Cebu through its managing director Connie Te and sports manager Rey Fuentes, Cebu Holdings Inc. under Rene Almendras and VP Sales and Marketing Tetta Baad who provided the snacks. "Daghang Salamat" to Lilio Lim of Waterfresh Purified Drinking Water and Ben Café who has been supporting not only the Midnight Run, but my other races as well. Pryce Gases Inc. under Dodong Sulatre who like Waterfresh, is always present in the races, providing Prycegas stoves as prizes. Thanks also to Adidas through sports marketing manager Goody Custodio for the running shoes, The Freeman under Bhoy Mendoza and marketing manager Tina Poblador. Rudy Project through Gabby Boschi. Who can forget the support of Stanford Laboratory under CEO Pearl Huang and Joel Juarez. Who wouldn't notice the beautiful Italian trophies from Stocks R Us under Josie Uy. Island Grill Express and Wild Vines wines through Arnold Sityar. "Salamat gid" to ERUF and to the Cebu City Sports Center under Ricky Ballesteros. Thanks also to Presing Capangpangan and his race officials and to Audie Marte and Lerma Binarao of the PSC office for the registration and to those whose names escape as for the moment, a million thanks to you all.

Sinulog 10k Run

Registration will soon start for the Sinulog 10K and 5K Run, which will be staged on January 8, 2006 in front of the Cebu Provincial Capitol. The Cebu Executive Runners Club is organizing the race. Watch out for further updates.