Oldies but goodies

In a previous column I wrote about two 90-year- old triathletes who continue to amaze the sporting world by refusing to stop competing.  In athletics, especially in the sprints,  30 is an old age.  But on March 16-17, several "oldies but goodies" will relive the glory when they plunge into action anew in  the NCR National Masters Athletics Invitational that fires off at the Philsports Complex (Ultra) in Pasig City. No less than legendary athletes like Elma Muros Posadas, Linda Lavandia, Lerma Balauitan, John Lozada and Mona Sulaiman just to mention a few, will be struting their wares.  The event is open to participants 35 years  old and above and will serve as a fund-raising campaign to help send a Philippine team to the World Masters Athletics Championship (WMAC) to be held in Porto-Alegro, Brazil in October this year. The Philippine team  also competed in the Asian Masters Athletics Championship last year held in Taiwan and brought home 8 gold medals. Meanwhile here in Cebu, yours truly has formed a team that is sure to make waves in the trackfest.  The team members are  mostly long distance runners but I'll whip them into sprinters.  Heading the team are 77-  year-old Rening Ylaya, Dr. Abe Manlawe, Raffy Osumo, Nemesio and Tess Escasinas, Al Geyrozaga, Ruth Banzon,  Lerma Binaoro, Florante Sanchez, Jing Cubillas and former road long distance champion  Ireneo Illut.  We will be joined by Cebuano Fredo Villarta in Manila.  The team is excited and raring to go as most of the members are first timers.  Last Saturday, I demonstrated to Rening the starting position of the  sprints.  And even sprinted myself which proved disastrous.  I strained my thigh  muscles as i'ts been years since I  did the sprints, being a long distance runner.  Having participated in several Asian trackfest, I should know the importance of a longer warm-up which I neglected.  The trackfest however, will be in three weeks time and I expect to be 100 percent ready by then.  By the way, our running shirts are sponsored by Noe Jabonero of V12 Radgear and Casa Ilongga.  We are still waiting the support of the City since  we will be carrying the name of Cebu.

Runner Academy

The Runnr Academy will open its 2013 edition on March 6.  The Academy is geared to help newbies run their first 5k race according to running clinic director Raffy Osumo.  The  free running clinic starts the event  at the race venue, the Ayala Active Zone at 7:00pm. After an hour of running tips, participants will run a 5k distance just around the Cebu Business Park (Ayala).  Topics of the clinic include running form, strengthening exercises, common running injuries, nutrition and hydration.  Speakers include ultrarunner Haidie Acuña, Coach Pio Solon, Dr. Renald Ramiro and Osumo.  For those who complete the sessions (6 Wednesdays), certificates will be awarded to them.  Registration is now on going at Runnr Ayala.  The clinic is organized by the Runnr under  Jermine Genuino, Rose Abellana, Sheena Gacayan, Mark Lopez and Leo Abella with guard Richard Alquizola also assisting.