Running has indeed reached pandemic proportions, meaning “daghan na jud nabuang sa dagan”. With the trend we are having here in Cebu I’m certain running events will even be bigger next year. Would you believe I’m getting proposals to organize runs next year, this early? After a very successful race last May, the Running MAD 2 kicked off last Sunday at the UP Grounds with over 1,000 participants. It could have been bigger had we not rejected a lot of entries. True to his pre-race billing, Kenyan Simon Losiaboi made it three in a row when he routed the field in the main 12K division to win in 41 minutes and 05 seconds. Cebu’s current top runner Mendel Lopez, third placer in the 2009 Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon (21K category) took second place in 43:01. It was the third time Lopez wound up runner-up to Losiaboi, who has become his training partner. Revodem Aranas salvaged third place in 43:11 while Bonifacio Monjas pocketed fourth in 43:23. The rest of the top 10 are 5th Adonis Singson (46:01), 6th Paul James Zapico (48:37), 7th Dandy Maturan (48:53), 8th Leo Abello (49:21), 9th Heronesio Padilla (50:19) and 10th Aubrey Ariola (50:49). In the distaff side, Mary Grace delos Santos continued to terrorize the local opposition by claiming another crown in 50 minutes 40 seconds, Madelyn Carter came in second in 52:32 while Mary Joy Tabal took third in 52:57. Gerly Rose Baylon won fourth place in 1:00:06. The rest of the ten are 5th Leonora Martus (1:06:34), 6th Annie Neric (1:09;50), 7th Bettina Veloso (1:13:07), 8th Ma. Glen Pontanar (1:18:54), 9th Marlen Limpag (1:23:45) and 10th Vivien Biagan (1:23:47).
6K DIVISION
In the equally exciting 6k division, Joel Delposo lorded it over with his 20:09 clocking while Jess Gonzaga and Eugene Delposo timed 20:14 and 21:02 to place second and third respectively. The rest of the top 10 are 4th Jorry Econg (21:30), 5th Robert Daang (21:36), 6th Alviro Busa (22:08), 7th Roland Montebon (22:13), 8th Roland Batiancila (22:32), 9th Michael Estrera (22:36) and 10th Felix Lopez (22:49). In the women’s division, Aiza Suaybaguio surprised the veterans by winning in 26:18. Crezil Diongson came in second in 27:35 while Clarisse Diongson was third in 27:55. The rest of the winners are 4th Hazel Retavale (28:11), 5th Lorna Olarita (28:36), 6th May Contemplo (30:53), 7th Bea Katrina Maximo (32:04), 8th Katrina Acar (32:57), 9th Jocelyn Abella (32:59) and 10th Haidar Sisbreno (33:30). Event prime mover Mary Ann delos Santos awarded the prizes to the winners. Some of the popular figures who ran included the Guardo brothers, Atan, Jerry and Jeson, Duke and Christine Frasco, Boying Rodriguez, Ramsay and Renee Quijano, Joel Garganera, Allan Delantar, media men Jingo Quijano, Max, Marlene and Mike Limpag among others. As usual we would like to thank our supporters ACDC Construction of the Aguilon brothers, JR and Rovie, Waterfresh Drinking Water and ISOsports and ACAI fruit juice who provided sports drinks to the runners. Don’t get angry, get mad!
ADVENTURE 28.5K TRAIL RUN
Dr. Robert Ledesma, organizer of the Cinco de Noviembre 42K Marathon called to inform that his runners in the Silay Roadrunners Club figured in the top ten of the Adventure 28.5K Trail Run held in Dumaguete City also last Sunday. Dr. Bob said his protégée Jeson Agravante won the race. Bong Zarragosa was fourth while Herman Cuanico was seventh.
8TH MIDNIGHT RUN
Registration to the 8th Arthro Cebu Midnight Run starts this week at the PSC Office at the Cebu City Sports Center, City Sports Club Cebu and at Casa Ilongga Robinsons Place. The run, the only race in the country held during midnight will be limited to just 400 runners on a first-come-first-served basis. This year’s race will also have a new innovation, runners in costumes. (FREEMAN NEWS)