More QCIM tales

Just when Allan Delantar was all set to redeem himself after failing to finish the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon last February, another distraction occurred. The week we were to depart for Manila, Allan, a member of the Atan Guardo Running Club informed us that he will be skipping the marathon as his uncle, a son of Cebu City’s former mayor Yoyong Borres, died. “Sayang, maayo na jud ang akong training “said Allan: Anyway, there’s so many runs Allan, “murag ukay-ukay nalang.” IBP president Ramsay Quijano was also in Manila but just ran the 10K after he couldn’t get a 21K race number. I also met my good friend and “kababayan” singer Leo Valdez at the finish line. Leo, who appeared in Miss Saigon, said he just came in from Australia where he stayed for two years and is just starting to run again. I also met Sea Games gold medalist Elma Muros Posadas who took care of my camera while I was running. Elma said she recently won a bronze medal in the long jump in the World Masters trackfest held in Europe and invited me to re-join the national Masters team when we compete in the Asian Track & Field Championship next year.

CHAOTIC

My time in the QCIM showed that I finished in 2:44 (chip time). My newly-issued Timex fitness tracker watch showed 2:32:43. Using it only for the first time, Timex sports manager Pam Panaguiton said “baka hindi pa na calibrate ng husto”. But also said she thinks it was accurate which I agree. How can I clock over 2:40 when I was just behind the 2:30 pacers? Could it be, they were running a wrong pace? Anyway I don’t really give a damn about my clocking, as I now run for pleasure, no pressure, and nothing to prove here. Did you know it took organizers more than one hour to give out the over-all results? I know that because I was with the veteran Manila media men that included Manila Bulletin’s Clyde Mariano and Remate’s Ka Ed Paez, a runner himself and president of the San Fernando Runners Club. Well, we don’t know what really happened but if you check the dailies, there are two sets of winners. I was told that the timing chips were inter-changed. Either it was international on the part of the Kenyans or a boo-boo of the organizers in issuing the chips. (A mediaman called it “cheaps.) The results were chaotic and to think this is an international event. Of course you all know that there was no water in some critical water stations. Maybe that’s the reason CERC president Jesse Taborada called it a marathon in hill este.. hell! Anyway, we learn from our mistakes. Hope this will be corrected the next time around. As a consolation of sorts, Southwestern University’s Michelle Gilbuena won the overall title in the women’s 10K while Ilonggo Rene Herrera claimed the men’s crown.

ROCK N’ RUN 2

Rained out the first time around, the second edition of the Rock N’ Run 2 promises to come back with a vengeance. Organizer Johnie Lim president of Spa and Wellness Center Association of Cebu said they have increased the distance from 10K to 12K. Johnie also said true to me concept of the event, bands will be playing rock and roll music before and after the race. Johnie also invited the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis to run in his signature white jumpsuit and render a few of his hits during the event. The champions in the 12K division (male and female) will receive P7,000.00, the second placers P5,000.00 and the third placers P3,000.00. Fourth placers will get P1,000.00 while fifth placers pocket P700. Sixth to tenth placers are assured of P300.00. There will also be cash prizes for the winners in the 5K and 3K runs.

ROAR TO GROW 10K

Registration to the Cebu Lakandula Lions Club-organized “Roar to Grow 10K” set on November 15, also at the Terraces is now in full swing at the PSC Office at the Cebu City Sports Center, Zone 360 (back of Parkmall, Mandaue City) and at Casa Ilongga in Robinsons Place Cebu. Then on November 22, the Running Mad for Wellness 2 will be stage at the UP Grounds, Lahug. Registration starts this week.