Lucky seven

CEBU - Seven is the favorite number of gamblers. It is also the best number of last Sunday’s Cebu Midnight Run held at the Cebu Business Park. Yes folks, the Cebu Arthro Midnight Run is on its seventh successful year. After being absent for a year, the race, the only one of its kind in the country was back with a bang. I’m sure you all know that we are limiting participants in the race for better management, considering it’s held at midnight. Over 300 runners (the biggest field in the run), answered the starters gun fired by Melyn Rose Baguio, membership officer who represented City Sports Club GM Micmic Solon. We had a new but shorter route this year that did not require the runners to make two turns in the last kilometer. So if you’re wondering of your fast clocking, it was less than 5 kilometers. And due to some suggestions, we might just make the run a 6 km or 7 km affair next year. It was a show or force by Southwestern University as it sneaked 5 runners into the top ten. John Philip Dueñas served strong notice that he is the next force to reckon with in long distance running, when he ruled the race. USPF’s Mendel Lopez, the defending champion, settled for second while SWU’s Ian Bernido pocketed third. USPF’s Joel Delposo came in fourth while Marriott’s Ranie Lawas wound up fifth. The rest of the top ten in the men’s division are 6th Alpitche Mangaron, 7th Robert Daang, 8th Charlie Berberio, 9th Jude Rivera and 10th Leo Abello.

Undisputed Marathon Queen

The race was a short event, but Cebu’s marathon queen Leszl Gitaruelas proved she has also the speed to win as she ruled the run, her fourth Midnight Run title. Leszl won a huge Italian trophy worth P6,000 sponsored by Josie Uy of Stocks R US, who also gave another trophy for the men’s division worth P8,000. Milo Marathon Cebu leg champion Madelyn Carter took second place while head turner Jessica Hermaasson of Sweden and a member of Rox Cebu settled for third. Leszl also won a sun cellular phone, the same model that went to Dueñas as men’s champion. Madelyn got a Rudy Project eyewear and Lopez, a New Balance. The Swedish beauty Jessica and Bernido took home adidas backpacks. The runners were again treated to a midnight snack (actually breakfast nato) after the race. The rest of the top ten in women’s division are 4th Virgencita Rodriguez, 5th Maria Anderberg, 6th Cristina Lamparas, 7th Melinda Ponce, 8th Jane Ong, 9th Beberly Lascuña and 10th Brenda Portugalisa.

Sponsors

As always, the sponsors play a very important role for the success of an event. So, we wound like to say thanks to City Sports Club Cebu under GM Micmic Solon and sports manager Rey Fuentes. Thanks also to Arthro under sportman Atan Guardo who took care of the singlets, Waterfresh of Lilio Lim for the drinking water, Sun Cellular through Ariel Lianaza and Lala Cervantes. Who could forget the support of The Freeman and Banat News, Pfizer, who gave out sports bottles, Transfarma for the Fastum gels, New Balance, Island Grill Express, Cebu Gazland Enterprises (Shellane) Casa Illongga, Prycegas of Dodong Sulatre, Holiday Gym & Spa. And of course, a million thanks to Cebu Holdings Inc. through Tetta Baad who continue to uphold the tradition by providing the midnight snacks. “Salamat gid” to Cebu Business Park Administration under Engr. Adonis Sencio, ERUF, UTAFA, Philippine Sports Commission, Cebu City Sports Center and to those whose names we missed “Daghang Salamat!”

Reunions

It was a reunion of sorts for Cebu’s running clubs especially the Cebu Executive Runners Club that just returned from the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon, Rox Gym, Holiday Gym & Spa, Prycegas Runners, Atan Guardo Running Club, Rambo of Boying Rodriguez , Mandaue Runners Club, Sight First of Dr. Yong Larrazabal and a lot more. Special awards were given to Twinkle Ignacio for her fairy costume complete with blinking lights and Rening Ylaya, the oldest at 73. (THE FREEMAN)