Maddening crowd

When Lahug Barangay Captain Mary Ann Delos Santos asked me if she could gather runners in the event she organizes a race, I said maybe 300 at the least. So we targeted that number for the race which I also suggested be called Running Madness. Mad stands for “Make a Difference” or if you wish “Mary Ann Delos Santos.” The response was very encouraging in the early week of registration that we ordered 500 singlets. But soon the entries just kept on coming like mad. “Nabuang jud si Lisette who handles the registration center at the Barangay Hall. We have to reject over a hundred entries as we ran out of race numbers and singlets. So last Sunday, over 1,600 runners (the biggest locally organized run) was fired off by Mary Ann who was running in the 12K herself. The race was unique as it was the first time that the distances were pegged at 6K and 12K. I swore there were close to 2,000 as I could see a lot of runners who just ran without numbers.

Star-Studded Field

The field was star-studded with Dr. Yong Larrazabal, Dr. Pete Mancao, Donna Larrazabal, Judge Gabby Ingles, former Ombudsman Ed Canton, the Guardo brothers Atan, Jerry and Jeson, ABS-CBNs Haide Acuña, GMA’s Jun Villeganio, Vice Mayor Boying Rodriguez of Danao City and a lot more. 2009 Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon (21K Category 3rd placer) Mendel Lopez was just too fast for the rest of the field as he breasted the tape by his lonesome in 42:36. SWU’s John Philip Dueñas came in second in 45:21 with Sherwin Managil pocketing third in 46:06. The rest of the top ten in the men’s division (12K) are 4th Revodem Aranas (48:06), 5th Reprinel Banzon (49:06), 6th Robert Daang (49:30), 7th Elmo Clarabal (49:51), 8th Jude Rivera (50:41), 9th Emerson Trazo (50.50) and 10th Rey Flores (51:00). In the women’s division (12K), Zamboanga City’s Mary Grace Delos Santos was likewise too classy as she breezed to the finish line in 52:42. Madelyn Carter and Joeyry Lee clocked 56:54 and 57:01 to settle for second and third respectively. The rest of the top ten are 4th Jane Jane Ong (1:14:44), 5th Annie Neric (1:15:19), 6th Marina Lipardo (1:19:59), 7th Veronica Ong (1:21:51), 8th Haide Acuña (1:25:50), 9th Rosan Trani (1:26:12) and 10th Aster Nebosa 1:26:30.

6k Run

Joel Delposo on the other hand, reigned supreme in the 6K Division by clocking 21:38 Meljun Luterte came in second in 21:41 while Jerry Ycong settled for third in 21:56. The rest of the top ten are 4th Adonis Singson (22:02), 5th Eugene Delposo (23:50) 6th Dandy Maturan 23:50, 7th Wilbert Lauricio (24:03) 8th, Israel Dignos (24:12) 9th Rico Riquite (24:27) and 10th John Paul Zapico (24:57) In the women’s 6K the top 3 winners are SWU’s Michelle Gilbuena (27:39), 2nd place Crizel Diongson (30:09) and 3rd Gerly Rose Baylon (30:36). The rest of the top ten are 4th Clarisse Diongson (30:54), 5th Margie Apostol (32:33), 6th Valerie Ligan (34:37), 7th Donna Larrazabal (34:38), 8th Lorhiz Echavez (36:36) 9th Emily Rosas 937:57) and 10th Mercedita Robilly (39:59).

Mountain Trail Run Postponed

As I write this column, my sister-in-law is lying critically ill at the Chong Hua Hospital ICU. With all of her siblings out of the country I have no recourse but to take care of her. She has lived with us for over 30 years. Since I have to attend to a lot of things, I could not manage the Mountain Trail Run slated on May 31 at Kalunasan. I’m therefore announcing the indefinite postponement of the race. Those who have registered and paid may claim their money back where they registered or wait for the new date of the race. So sorry for that, but this is a precious life on the edge. Please pray for her.

Notes: Congratulations to Nap Dela Torre and Dr. John Clifford Arañas who finished the tough Great Wall Marathon in Beijing, China two weeks ago. Nap finished in 5 hours 51 minutes and 20 seconds to place 172 out of 280 finishers while Doc John clocked 6:47 to rank 233. Nap and John plus a female from Manila were the only Filipinos in the international race won by American Justin Walker in 3:40:51. More details next time. We would like to thank running brothers Jr. and Rovie Aguilon of Aguilon Construction and Development Corp. for the H-frames at the finish line.