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Monday, October 31, 2011

Condo unit to be raffled in the 3rd QCIM staging



SM Development Corporation (SMDC), title sponsor of the Quezon City International Marathon (QCIM), has staked a condo unit as the top prize to be raffled off to participants of the multi-event footrace set this December 4, organizer Runnex said in a press statement.

This come-on is considered as the biggest single prize staked for race finishers in Philippine marathon history.

The race, held annually in collaboration with the Quezon City local government, again looms as the city’s biggest sporting event in terms of participants. The race organizer, Executive Runners Club of the Philippines (Runnex), expects participation to hit the 15,000 mark this year, a jump from the 8,000 runners who participated in the inaugural staging of the QCIM in 2009.

List-up for the 5-K, 10-K, 21-K, and 42-K events of the race is ongoing at eight registration centers. These are at the SMDC showrooms in SM Megamall, SM North EDSA, and the Mall of Asia; at Mizuno stores in Megamall, MOA, and Bonifacio Street; at the Second Wind store at Teacher’s Village, Quezon City, and at the Runnex office at Bahay ng Alumni in UP Diliman.

Registration for the 5K and 10K events are P500 and P600, respectively, with no minimum age requirement. The 21K race has a P750 entry fee with 14 years as the minimum age requirement. Registration fee for the full marathon is P850 with 17 years as the minimum age. The entry fee for foreign entries is pegged at $30.

As early as the middle of this year, Runnex has been meticulously planning for another successful staging of the QCIM. The club, the oldest private organization for runners in the country, has launched two running clinics to help train participants, particularly those joining the 21-K and the 42-K for the first time.

One of these is the Discover Running Series which is now on its second phase and conducted in coordination with the University of the Philippines’ College of Human Kinetics. This clinic has Olympian Elma Muros as guest coach and is held at the UP Academic Oval in Diliman, Quezon City, every Sunday morning till November 26.

Aside from securing SMDC sponsorship, Runnex has also lined up support from the traditional QCIM backers such as Maxima Machineries, Meralco, Mizuno, Hyundai, BPI, SSS, Gatorade, Maynilad, and Manila Water. Media partners include the Philippine Star, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Business Mirror, Business World, Malaya Business Insight, ABS-CBN, GMA 7, Studio 23, Auto REVIEW NBN4,  Aksyon Sports 92.3 NewsFM, Takbo.ph, Total Fitness, Pinoy Fitness, Frontrunner  and Action Fitness.

McHappy Day Fun Run 2011



Here's a fun run for the family. 

The McHappy Day Fun Run 2011 is a great way to bond with the whole family. It is designed for youngsters and parents who are not "really" into running.

Parents are given several options which fun run to enter their kids. There is a 1-kilometer run for kids 1-3 years old, a 3k run for kids 6 to 12 years old, a 3k run for a family of 4 and an open category for 5 and 10 kilometer runners.

I think this is a very good idea to start the kids into a fit lifestyle.


But this fun run is like eating a Happy Meal. Participants will not only be able to have a great time but will be able to help the advocacy of Bright Minds Read, a program of the Department of Education (DepEd) to provide teachers with instructional materials and pupils with worksheets.

According to the DepEd press statement, the education department provides a BMR kit to enhance the program. The kit "contains 28 big books in Filipino and four big books in English. It also includes a BMR bag, a set of manuals for teachers, a set of manuals for teachers, a set of worksheets for students, one ABC chart and a BMR banner."

Kaya sa Mcdo Fun Run, nakatakbo ka na, nakatulong ka pa sa edukasyon ng mga Pinoy kids.

There will be no singlets in the race kits for this fun run but finishers will receive finisher shirts.

For more info, click here.

I actually participated in the 10k race of this fun run last year and had a great time. I even have a picture with Ronald as a souvenir.

Good luck, and happy running.

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Kidapawan native wins GenSan men's elims of 35th MILO marathon





Unknown Kidapawan native Gilbert Maluyo stamped his class by winning the men's division while Rhodah Chepkirui stood firm all-throughout to rule the distaff side last Sunday in the General Santos City eliminations  of the 35th National MILO Marathon, organizers said in a press statement released to media outfits.

Maluyo, a 30-year-old machine operator Maluyo, checked in with a time of one hour 14 minutes and 54 seconds and in the process relegated Elmer Bartolo (1:14:56) to second spot and Kenyan runner David Kipoech Kipsang (1:15:16) to third place. Royle Mariano (1:24:23) finished at fourth and Jelbirth Gomera (1:27:34) settled for fifth.

"It was a challenge for me to balance work and training and I had to wake up at 4:30 am to do a long run before I headed to work. Add to that, I was nervous because I have been hearing about Kenyans ruling races in Mindanao and Visayas," Maluyo added.

Jerome Dela Rosa completed the top 10 cast with 1:27:39 for sixth, Rodolfo Villanueva at seventh in 1:30:38, followed by Paul Andrew Paradela (1:30:42), Francisco Veroy (1:31:29) and Diosdado Munar Sr. (1:31:52).

Chepkirui also of Kenya registered a 1:27:40 clocking to lead a total of 14 age group qualifiers into the Grand Finals on Dec. 11 at the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City.

It was a different story on the women’s side as 24-year-old Kenyan runner Chepkirui led from start to finish outpacing last year's National MILO Marathon Batangas leg titlist  Maricel Maquilan who fell to second in 1:32:06

"I found the race easy, I was alone from start to finish. Thankfully there were no strong local competitors and I was able to reach my goal to earn a slot in the finals," said Chepkirui, who has been in the country for a month.

Completing the top five were April Rose Diaz who settled at third in 1:34:42, followed by Maria Estela Diaz (1:49:40) and Joan Natividad (2:08:04).     

But the biggest casualty in the 21-k race was former three-time National MILO Marathon champion  Cresenciano Sabal, who was unable to finish the race because of a foot injury. He is said to participate in the final Davao leg on Sunday for a final swing to clutch a spot at the finals.

The General Santos leg likewise produced a total of 500 pairs of shoes for selected students of General Santos City High School, Dadiangas South Elementary School, HN Cahilsot Central Elementary School, Ireneo Santiago High School and Balunto Elementary School as part of the National MILO Marathon’s ‘Help Give Shoes’ Advocacy.

More than 400 runners from the previous 17-leg elimination races all over the country have already earned slots at the National finals, which offers P300,000 cash prize to the winners in both the elite men and women's 42.195-km class.

After the 16th leg, the nationwide search for the best runner in the country, will head for its final stop on Sunday in Davao City. On the run-up to the Manila Finals, the National MILO Marathon also announces it is already open for registration for 3k, 5k, 10k and 21k race categories through Manila Race organizer RunRio.

 Interested participants can log on to www.milo.com.ph for online registration.

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Busa, Miranda win Butuan elims of 35th MILO marathon



A first timer and a former champion displayed strong determination to win the Butuan Leg of the 35th National Milo Marathon participated in by 7, 903 runners in Butuan City, organizers said in a press statement.

Local bet Alvirg Busa posted 1:15:11 to secure his first major title after 5 years of running, while Judelyn Miranda regained the Butuan women's crown she won in 2009, with a time of 1:26:26 in the premiere 21-km race.

Butuan native Busa was ecstatic with his first championship despite the presence of strong competition. “I was nervous going into the race because of the pool of elite runners who were really good. I did not expect to win, but I just focused on my own performance,” said Busa referring to the participation of regional champs, Dionisio Belmonte and Jonel Bunsit.

Always in top 10 but never the champion, Busa resolved to better his performance. “Before, I used to speed up from start to finish, but now I’ve learned restraint and worked on moderating my pacing. Every time I fall behind during the race, I do a fartlek—short fast, bursts in running--to keep up.”

Busa paced with the lead pack until the halfway mark and later engaged Jordan Bacong of Ormoc in a neck-to-neck race until some six kilometers before the finish.

Bacong settled for second in 1:17:48, while Ronilo Sandinao finished third in 1:17:52 and Belmonte Jr. was fourth with a time of 1:18:08. Completing the top 10 cast in the men's division were Jestoni Sandinao (1:20:52), Nicolas Sulpicio  (1:21:04), Jonel Monsit (1:22:09), Johny España (1:22:13), Edgardo Lapasigue (1:23:13) and Ariel Bagaporo (1:25:43).

Busa and Miranda with their trophies after winning their respective divisions.
As with last year, Miranda felt the absence of a worthwhile competitor, but her determination to meet the qualifying mark and improve her personal best time enabled the Tagum City-native to become the only female participant to make it to the grand finals.

"The challenge was more on the hot weather and some blisters and wounds I got from running, but I just went on because I really wanted to improve my time,” share Miranda, a criminology graduate and 2009 National Milo Marathon 13th placer.

Miranda was the female lead runner in the mostly flat route from start to finish. She then joined the lead pack composed of male runners, which gave her some challenge to break her personal best of 1:32:00.

She was followed by Michell Ann Aclo, who finished a distant second with a clocking of  1:41:56. Wenda Del Valle was third in 1:49:06 and Lorebelle Joy Parcon was fourth in 2:10:43. Mariquit Ferrer registered 2:15:01 for fifth and Ireen Batitang was sixth (2:28:43).
 
Both the 24-year-old Busa and the 26-year-old Miranda led 15 other age group qualifiers to the National Finals at the SM Mall of Asia in pasay City on Dec. 11. All the 17 qualifiers will join the already more than 400 in the grand finals which offers P300,000 each for both top male and female champions.

The Butuan City race produced a total of 500 pairs of shoes for public schools, Maon Elementary School, Florencio Sibayan Elementary School, Obrero Elementary School, Silad Mahogany Elementary School and Butuan Central Elementary School as part of its ‘Help Give Shoes’ advocacy. The annual marathon event seeks to donate 10,000 pairs of shoes as part of Nestle’s Centennial celebration.


After the Butuan race, the nationwide 17-leg search for the country's top runners will shift to General Santos on Oct 30 and Davao City on Nov. 6, before the grand finals on December 11.

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Unabia, Cadion rule CdO Milo Marathon elims

Thousands participated in the MILO run in Cagayan de Oro last Sunday
Defending regional champion Arnold Unabia topped the Cagayan de Oro eliminations of the 35th National Milo Marathon last Sunday and is now expecting a tough stint in the National Finals, organizers said in a press statement.

The 33-year-old Unabia ruled the 21K men's division in one hour, 14 minutes and two seconds, barely beating Jeffrey Sotto (1:14:11) and Gerald Sabal (1:14:13).  Crifrankreadel Indapan (1:14:36) and Jerald Zabala (1:14:58) occupied the next two places.

Two 18-year-olds--Cresabel Cadion (1:34:38) and Roxanne Maaba (1:38:08)--finished 1-2 in the distaff side while Lezette Aibarote (1:44:50) was third.  All three will join the 18 male qualifiers in the December 11 National finals Which will award P300,000 each to the top male and female finisher.

Unabia, 13th in last year's national finals, will try to nail the crown for the fifth time.  A regular fixture in Cebu and CDO races, he is hoping he will have enough time to train for the December event.

“I was more prepared last year. I had less preparation this year because I had to juggle training with my coaching of kid runners," said Unabia, who works for the Tangub City government as running coach.

Unabia
Unabia's daily training for the past six months include long runs for two hours in the morning and endurance training in the afternoon.  He has mastered the flat CDO course.

“From the start, I was just pacing with the lead pack. In the last two kilometers, it was just me, Sotto and Sabal and so I really exerted all my energy about 1 kilometer before the finish line. We were neck to neck but luckily I finished first,” Unabia recounted.

Unabia said he is wary of the younger runners come the National Finals but he has one motivation why he wants to make to at least make it to the top 10.

"I want Filipinos to own the top 10.  I hope we can beat the Kenyan and Ethiopian runners," said Unabia.

Sotto, who works as a utility man at the Philippine Institute of Science and Technology in Iligan, said his lack of training showed in his performance.

“It would have been nice to beat Unabia and claim the Cagayan do Oro championship but I really had little training," said the 27-year-old Sotto.  "I will work harder and be better for the finals."

Female winner Cadion, ran her second 21K race.  Her first half marathon race last year, also in Cagayan de Oro, resulted in a third place finish.

"I didn't really find the race challenging in terms of route and competition," said Cadion, a Business Administration student of St. Columbian College in Pagadian.  "But I really planned to start strong and that allowed me to gain a wide lead right away."

Cadion
8,974 runners participated in the different race categories, including the 10K which was won by Glenn Arellano (33:55) and Sheena Maxicom (45:16).

Milo Sports Events Assistant Vice President Patricio Goc-ong expressed elation over the marathon’s turnout and the overall success of the race with the help of local organizers, Jeffrey Ang and Francis Velasquez of Cirlce Productions.

The Cagayan de Oro Marathon participants were able to raise a total of 500 pairs of shoes for students of South City Central School, Tablon Elementary School, Cagayan de Oro National High School, Alae National High School and Agusan Elementary School, as part of its ‘Help Give Shoes’ advocacy.


After the Cagayan de Oro leg,  the race heads further into Mindanao with races slated in Butuan (Oct23), General Santos (Oct 30) and Davao City (Nov 6). The National Finals will be held in Manila on December 11 at the SM Mall of Asia.


Friday, October 14, 2011

Tough race expected during MILO's CdO elims


Unabia and Sotto


Expect another tough and sizzling race when Cagayan De Oro hosts the 14th 14th Qualifying Leg of the 35th Milo National Marathon at the Pelaez Sports Center, organizers said.

Intense competition will unfold in the City of Golden Friendship, with 4-time CDO National Milo Marathon elims champ Arnold Unabia and 26 year old Iligan-native Jeffrey Sotto vying for top spots in the premiere 21k elimination race.

Last year, Unabia edged Sotto by a mere 10 seconds and topped last year’s race with a 1:13:06 finish.

But the two tough runners must expect tough competitions from competitors coming fromn nearby provinces of Zamboanga, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur and Bukidnon.

Local race organizers are targeting at least 12,000 runners to participate in the CDO race, which is the first of four elimination legs to be held in Mindanao. Registration for the half marathon and 10k race have doubled this year, an indication of the growing popularity of running in the region.

The Cagayan Leg age group qualifiers will join more than 300 runners who have already earned slots
to the National Finals from previous nationwide race legs and will vie for the P300,000 top prize in the
premier 42.195-km in the National Finals in Manila on Dec. 11.

After this Sunday’s race, the National Milo Marathon heads to Butuan City on Oct. 23, Gen. Santos City
on Oct. 30 and Davao City on Nov. 6.

As part of Milo’s sports advocacy program, some 500 pairs of shoes will also be given to the selected
students of different public schools in the city.

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Kenyan, Cebuana top MILO's Tagbilaran City elims



Kenyan Willy Rotich and Cebuana Christy Tutor topped the challenging Tagbilaran City eliminations of the 35th MILO Maralon recently, according to a press statement released by the organizers.

The 20-year-old Rotich established himself midway en route to an easy win in the men's category with a time of one hour, 10 minutes and 22 seconds. Albert Umbagar (1:12:28) settled for second while Cebuano running champ Mendel Lopez (1:13:57) salvaged a podium finish.

"The uphill-downhill course was challenging but overall the race was good. My competitors were very aggressive at the start, but I exerted myself and maintained the lead from the 10k and finished alone at the end," said Kenyan runner Rotich, last year’s National MILO Marathon finals 13th placer.

Completing the male 21k top 10 were Jobert Carolino (1:14:35), John Philip Duenas (1:15:06), Ian Bernido (1:16:31), Jess Gonzaga (1:16:49), Rafael Tejada (1:20:58), Rolesper Marte (1:21:39), and Jemarvin Cabilan (1:21:57).

It was a close battle between Cebuana runners Tutor and Michelle Gilbuena, both from Bantayan Island.

“I was initially intimidated by Gilbuena, who placed third in the competitive Cam Sur Marathon and had lots of training in Baguio city, whereas I just do training on my own, juggling training with housework and taking care of the kids.”

“I maintained my pace some six kilometers into the race. Then I did a fireclick--I stayed beside my closest pursuer and darted 100 meters to gain the lead. I did this everytime Michelle got close to me and thankfully it worked as I finished 10 meters ahead of her," shared Tutor, a second placer in the National Finals in 2004.

Tutor
Bagging third place was Lalaine Patricio (1:43:48) followed by Niecel Espenosa (1:49:01), Helen Palma (1:51:41), Merry Jean Berdos (1:52:46), Teodelyn Calabroso (1:53:10), Geraldine Bartolata (2:05:59),  Rosario Naomi Fajardo (2:16:21) and Emmylou Fuertes (2:17:35).

Some 25 runners out of 4,848 participants who answered the starting gun early in the morning passed the age group qualifier for the National Finals at the SM Mall of Asia.

They will join the country’s elite long distance runners and several foreigners in the National Finals this December. Among those who gained spots in the Finals were Jujet de Asis, Luisa Raterta, Jho-Ann Banayag, James Tallam, Genet Agtew and Mikael Tesfaye.

Another 500 pairs of shoes were donated to local public schools, Eastern Cogon Elementary School, Dr. Cecilio Putong National High School, Tagbilaran City Science High School, Cogon Elemntary School and Dampas Elementary School as part of the National MILO Marathon’s Help Give Shoes advocacy. The prestigious running event seeks to donate 10,000 pairs to public school children nationwide.

From Tagbilaran City, the 17-leg eliminations will journey to its Mindanao leg starting with Cagayan De Oro on Oct 16 followed by Butuan City (Oct 23), General Santos (Oct 30) and Davao City (Nov. 6) with the Manila Finals slated on December 11

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Ethiopians dominate Cebu eliminations




After the Kenyans, the Ethiopians are invading and competing in the country's foot races.

And last Sunday, during the Cebu eliminations of the 35th National MILO Marathon,  Ethiopian runners Mikael Tesfaye and Genet Agtew topped their respective events in the race held in Osmena Boulevard, organizers said in a press statement.

Tesfaye, a 25-year-old runner who won the 2011 Camarines Sur International Marathon last week, and compatriot Mailemariam Kansay poted a 1-2 finish in the men's 21-K category. Tesfaye submitted a time of one hour, 9 minutes and 33 second while Kansay (1:09:37) salvaged a second place finish.

Tesfaye
On the distaff side, Genet Agtew, also a full-time athlete from Adis Ababa, completed the Ethiopian domination with a time of 1:24:16, outpacing 2010 MILO Marathon Cebu champion and current RP team standout Mary Joy Tabal who finished at 1:27:25.
Agtew
The Ethiopian runners, also members of Mesgana Athletics Club under Tsegaye Gebrezidoner Kebedew have been in the country for two weeks under the invitation of Bacolod running coach Frank Echevarria.

“We were invited by Coach Frank to compete locally to heighten the level of competition in the local race and we’ve been trained hard for the race by practicing at least twice a day, alternating between speed workouts, endurance and long distance running,” says Kebedew.  The group will be staying in the Philippines to train for the December finals.

Sharing his runners’ strategy, Kebedew shares "Coming into the competition, I advised my runners to keep up with the pace of competition when the rest are fast, and never be complacent when others pace slow.”

So overpowering were the Ethiopians that they relegated the Kenyans led by Josphat Kiptanji (1:09:45) to third place and last year's Metro Manila elims titlist Abraham Missos (1:12:58) to a distant fourth in the men's race. Another Kenyan Francis Kakaui ended fifth in 1:14:14.

2010 Cebu leg winner Adonis Singson  remained the top Filipino runner, but his 1:15:56 finish was good enough for sixth place.  “I tried to keep up with the lead pack of Ethiopians and Kenyans who ran very fast and strong. I tried to outpace them but I was already tired in the last 5K mark. I slowed down from then,” says Singson.

On the distaff side, Mary Jane Beboso settled for third at 1:39:52 followed by Cebu’s Running Queen Madelyn Carter finished at 1:43:02 Sandra Soliano clutched fifth at 1:45:47

A field of 19,040 runners participated in the race, including Cebu City Mayor, Michael Rama and singer actress Donna Cruz, making the Cebu qualifying leg the biggest regional leg. From the race, 34 qualifiers will advance to the Manila Finals to stand the chance to win Php 300,000 for both men and women’s championship.

Another 500 pairs of shoes were donated by Nestle officials to the students of Apas National High School, Inayawan Elementary School, Abellana Nationahl High School, Don Vicente Rams Memorial High School and Barrio Luz Elementary School, as part of the National MILO Marathon “Help Give Shoes” advocacy program.

A total of 4,200 pairs of shoes were extended to public school children nationwide last year and this year the organizer is targeting 10,000 more shoes to be donated to 100 schools to 100 students all over the country in line with the company’s 100th year celebration

From the Queen city of the South, the 17-leg eliminations will proceed to Tagbilaran on Oct 9, Cagayan De Oro (Oct 16), Butuan (Oct 23), General Santos (Oct 30) and the Davao City leg on Nov.  6 with the Manila Finals slated on December 11.