3 Cebuano runners fare well in international events

CEBU, Philippines - Three Cebuano runners accomplished their personal goals in two separate international competitions over the weekend.

Millet Chiongbian and Luis Miguel “Igi” Maximo had a successful stint in the LA Marathon at the Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California in the same way with Dr. Potenciano "Yong" Larrazabal III in his 11th marathon in Seoul, South Korea.

Chiongbian did not finish the full marathon, but got the qualifying time she needed in her age bracket for the more prestigious Boston Marathon. She completed the battle in three hours, 43 minutes and eight seconds.

Paref-Springdale’s Luis Miguel “Igi” Maximo placed 14th out of the 115 finishers under the boys 14-under class in his debut in the international circuit through LA Marathon’s 5K Run.

The 14-year-old Maximo clocked in 25 minutes and 50 seconds.

On gender placing, Maximo placed 213 out of 1,323 male finishers and ranked 253 in the overall rankings out of the 3,189 total finishers.

“I think that's good enough for me in a foreign land. If it was a Cebu race, maybe I can cut an additional minute or two. But I'm happy with the result. It's more of the experience that I am after. I don't get to practice running there in Cebu because of the time I have to spend with cycling and soccer practices,” Igi said via email. Maximo’s latest trip to US was supported by Fil-Ams Edgar and Ivy Abayan.

On the other hand, popular eye doctor Dr. Yong Larrazabal established a personal best time of 3:47.22 in the 1st Seoul International Marathon.

It was Larrazabal's third successful marathon this year. He is looking forward to four more marathons in 2010 including the San Diego-Rock N' Roll in June, United Kingdom and Camsur in September and the Singapore Marathon in December. – Caecent No-ot Magsumbol   (FREEMAN NEWS)