International Marathons

Don’t look now but the Cebuano runner is getting the respect of the country’s running community. A few years back Running Executives (Runnex) of Quezon City and the Sunday Runners (Sunrun) of Davao City were probably the best running clubs in the country. Runnex under my good friend Fidel Ringor (now almost 80 years old) made it a point to run in an international marathon yearly. The club ran in Melbourne, Athens, New York and Los Angeles among others. Here in Cebu, the Cebu Executive Runners Club (CERC), the longest active running club is now being noticed for running in international marathons. Last year, the CERC members Meyrick Jacalan, Dr. Vic Verallo, president Jesse Taborada, Dr. Alex Santos, Sergs Amora, and John Pages together with Dr. Yong Larrazabal, Dr. Peter Mancao and Dr. Nicole Chua ran in the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon. Of course, Yong and Peter ran in the New York City Marathon and Chicago Marathon earlier. Then last December the CERC ran in the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon. The group was bigger this time. The contingent was composed of Dodong Sulatre, Tony Del Prado Roel Militar Dr. Rosan Trani, Roy Trani, Harthy Satina, Rudy Tindugan, Dr. Tito Macarasig Steve Ferraren, Kenneth Casquejo, Frederick Chiongbian, Alex Junia, Vic, Meyrick Albert, Jesse and John (who finally vindicated himself after failing to finish in Hong Kong due to cramps). The other CERC runners were Annie Neric, Millette Chiongbian, and Jane Jane Ong, with Perl Jacalan and Jasmin Pages running in the 21K half-marathon. Chris Aldeguer didn’t join the group as he ran in the Las Vegas Marathon on the same day. By the way, Steve Ferraren also ran in the City of Los Angeles Marathon last year clocking a respectable 4:04.

GUARDO TEAM

Then last February, the Atan Guardo running team composed of Atan, Jerry and Jeson Guardo, Allan Delantar, Joel Garganera, Arnold Palma and yours truly joined the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon, despite only three months of training. Haide Acuña also ran in Hong Kong while Genito Guardo, Dodong Guardo and Edwin Ratilla ran in the 10K event. Running for the CERC were Cris Aldeguer, Frederick and Millette Chiongbian. Dr. Brian Bon, Leszl Giraruelas and Mendel Lopez ran in the half-marathon while two runners from Kabangis of Talisay City also participated.

MORE INTERNATIONAL STINTS

Inspired by their previous accomplishments, the CERC members are targeting more international marathons. Steve Ferraren is running in the Suzuki Rock and Roll Marathon in San Diego this May while Kenneth Casquejo is joining in the Los Angeles International Marathon also in May. Of course, Yong Larrazabal and wife Donna are running in the Big Sur Marathon this month in California Meyrick Jacalan, Dr. Vic Verallo, Frederick and Millette Chiongbian and Jane Jane Ong are running in the Amsterdam Marathon in October. Oh by the, Nap De La Torre is joining the Great Wall of China Marathon next month Leszel, Madelyn Carter and Dr. Brian Bon will compete in the Kota Kinabalu Olimbathon. Roel, Dodong and John are looking at Hong Kong again while the Guardo team including our muse Haide Acuña and new members JR and Rubi Aguilon will run in Singapore come December. Wow that’s a lot of international runs!

EARTH RUN

After months of planning, the Earth Run 2009 is finally taking off on May 10 at the Cebu Provincial Capitol. The run is organized by the Personnel Management Association of the Philippines (PMAP) to promote care of the environment. Earth Run means E-environment, A-awareness R-responsive T-teams for H-human health, R-rigor for U-unity in N-nation building. Proceeds of this 5-kilometer run shall be used to finance PMAP projects like mangrove planting, care for out-of-school youth, disabled and indigents in coordination with DSWD and PBSP. The winners in the male and female divisions will each receive P 3,000, the second placers P 2,000 and the third placers P 1,000. Registration starts next week at the Philippine Sports Commission office at the Cebu City Sports Center. This year’s PMAP Cebu is headed by Chona Cejas with Flor Tangpus of Mitsubishi Motors as chair of Community Relations Committee. Then mark your calendar on May 31 for the Arthro Cebu Mountain Trail Run in Kalunasan.

MILESTONE

A very Happy Birthday to Pryce Gases Vismin regional manager Dodong Sulatre who is turning a year older today. Dodong is one of the pillars of the CERC.   (THE FREEMAN)