Iloilo sportsman Boyet Rentoy of Prosports gave me a call and asked if I could assist him in his Anti-Rabies Half Marathon which fires off on November 21, in Guimaras, Iloilo. I have to beg off as the date is just a week before the Cebu Ultra-Marathon 50K Run and this period is most critical. Boyet and I worked to-gether in many Iloilo runs including the Anti-Dengue Run, Halloween Run and Dinagyang Half-Marathon. Boyet has also lined up events in Antique and Palawan. We are doing a triathlon in Antique while looking at a trail run in Puerto Princessa. As I was finishing this piece on rabies, my 17-year old maid arrived, tears flowing down her cheeks. "gipaak ko sa iro sa tiil." The dog got untied and it was a bad time for our maid to pass that corner. Anyway, the dog's owner was kind enough to shoulder all the expenses. Growl……!
Lutong Makau
Patrick Makau is not a Chinese, he's from Kenya, but he lived up to pre-race billing as the heavy favorite to win the 37th Real Berlin Marathon Sunday, a case of "Lutong Makau"? The Kenyan who clocked this year's best record of 2:04:48 in the Rotterdam Marathon, timed 2:05:08 but failed to break Ethiopian Haile Gebrselassie's world record of 2:03:59 also set in Berlin in 2008. Well, the heavy rain probably affected Makau's performance considering the slippery streets, Gebrselassie was absent in the race as he will be running in the New York City Marathon come November. His compatriot however made up for his absence as Abeku Kebede won in the distaff side in 2:23:58.
Camsur Marathon
The Kenyans domination of long distance races has spilled into the Philippines. In the Camsur International Marathon also held last Sunday in Pili Camarines Sur. The Kenyans accounted for the first four places with Richard Kemboi grabbing the crown in 2:19:40. Ethiopian Ayehu Geda clocked 2:40:05 to rule the women's division. Jho-an Banayag was the best-placed Filipino runner when she timed 2:58:13. Cebu-based Mary Grace Delos Santos and Manila - based Cebuana, Michelle Gilbuena clocked 3:03:13 and 3:10:7 respec-tively. Congratulations to all Cebuano finishers most especially to Haide Acuña, Yong and Donna Larrazabal and members of the Cebu Executive Runners Club headed by Jesse Taborada.
Big Race Coming Up
Don't look know but after the successful Aboitiz Race 2 Reduce Challenge 21K Run, another big race is in the planning board just the other a big national food corporation met with yours truly to discuss details of a proposed run in November. Besides the attractive cash prizes that will award runners with up to the top 20, food items worth P 250.00 will be given away to registrants who will be paying P 300.00 as entry fee. Of course, a singlet will also be inclusive. Wow that's already P 370.00 granting the singlet will cost P 120.00. I will not divulge the details yet until we hold the press con to launch the race. Keep tuned.
Artchitect's Run
Registration to the UAP get up and go Green 12K Run is now in full swing at the Runnr at Ayala Center, Adidas at SM City, Casa Ilongga at Robinsons Place Fuente and at the PSC Office at the Cebu City Sports Center.