20,000 to join Cebu eliminations

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Sports Center’s field has gone “bald” again, but not for long as close to 20 thousand runners in green singlets are expected to fill up the oval as they take part in the Cebu leg of the 35th Milo Marathon tomorrow.

Milo Sports Executive Pat Goc-ong recalled that when he started getting involved in this project, Cebu has the smallest number of participants among all the regional qualifying races.

Today, it has established itself as the biggest race in the country in terms of participants, even beating the Metro Manila leg.

There were actually close to 30 thousands who registered during the Manila leg, but only 13 thousand showed up due to bad weather condition according to Cebu leg organizer Ricky Ballesteros.

“Cebu used to be the smallest race in the country compared to the other legs. I challenged Ricky (Ballesteros) to put Cebu in the map nga kaya pud nato maka-produce ug daghang runners. Three years after that, Cebu has become the biggest already,” said Goc-ong.

Runners face a tougher challenge this time as organizers have set a cut off time for each of the categories set aside from the qualifying time set.

For the 21-kilometer action, cut off time will be two hours and 30 minutes from the official start of the action.

Prior to that, those who can’t make it through the turning point by 1 hour and 30 minutes will no longer be allowed to proceed as they will be picked up by the “sweepers”.

Runners in the 10-km run, on the other hand, will have an hour and 30 minutes as cut off time and an hour for the 5 and 3-km runners. 

Runners, who will refuse to be picked up, will have to run at their own risk.

Organizers are, however, encouraging runners to follow the rules regarding the cut-off time not only for their own safety, but for them to be used to what most international road races do.

On the other hand, those who are aiming to qualify in the National finals for free have to beat an hour and 15 minutes for men’s division and 1:35 distaff side in the 21-km action.

Those who can’t make it in the qualifying time of the premiere divisions still have another chance to qualify for the national battle through the different age groups.

Qualifiers under the age groups, however, will have to pay for their own fare and accommodations.

The men and women’s class has different qualifying time with ages 18-34 years old set at 3:45 and 4:20, 35-39(3:50/4:25), 40-44(3:55/4:30), 45-49(4 hrs/4:35), 50-54(4:05/4:40), 55-59(4:10/4:45),60-64(4:15/4:50),65-69(4:20/4:55) and 70 years-old and above at 5:30 for both the men and women’s division.

To make sure that the runners’ time will be recorded accurately, runners in all race lengths and classes are reminded to pin their race bib also called the B-tag in front of their singlet.

The timing chip is a similar one utilized in New York Marathon according to Run Rio president, Rio dela Cruz.

Aside from running though, a total of 11 squads spread in three divisions will be competing in the cheer-dance competition.

The biggest delegation and the inter-school team competition will also be given special prizes. (FREEMAN)