Early start for QCIM

FOR the convenience of participants and motorists alike, the  SMDC-Quezon City International Marathon will start much earlier on Sunday morning in front of the QC Memorial Circle, organizers announced on Thursday.

Executive Runners Club of the  Phils chairman and president Francisco Cayetano Jr. announced that the 42-kilometer starting time has been moved back from 4 a.m. to 3 a.m., although  the 21K (4:30 a.m.), 10K (5:50 a.m.) and 5K (6 a.m.) races will have the same times.

“We would like to have our runners racing in safe and secure surroundings, which is why we moved back the full marathon by an hour. We also want to clear the streets earlier for motorists and commuters to avoid traffic congestion in the area,” Cayetano said.

Sotto, Tolentino top CDO elims of 36th MILO Marathon tilt

Jeffrey Sotto ends Arnold Unabia's winning
streak and bag the CDO crown of the
36th National MILO Marathon qualifying
Races.

Cagayan de Oro City (November 25, 2012) – The City of Golden Friendship saw intense competition as veteran runner Jeff Sotto renewed a staunch rivalry with four-time regional champion Arnold Unabia at the 36th MILO Marathon Cagayan de Oro race Sunday morning.

Three-time MILO Marathon King Cresenciano Sabal also graced the 21-k tracks to wrap the top 3 cast of the men’s division race. The rivals treated spectators to a thrilling showdown of agility as they fought to win the last qualifying leg of the season.

Last year’s CDO second placer Sotto reached the clock at a commendable 1:13:10, barely beating Unabia (1:13:41) and Sabal (1:13:55).

Sotto expressed that today’s victory is a forecast of what awaits him in the future, as he hopes to spark his own winning streak in both regional and national races.

"Today's victory was definitely refreshing, but beating Unabia is just the beginning. Running alongside the country’s best Filipino and foreign athletes in the finals will be a daunting feat, but I am eager to prove myself in that track," said the Iligan City Roadrunner.

Organizers expect 13,000 participants in Condura Skyway Marathon: Run for the Mangroves

Condura Skyway Marathon chief organizing offider Ton Concepcion
(center), and Patrick Concepcion (second from left), Condura
Skyway running ambassador, pose with (from left) Au
Rubenecia of Tropical Forest Conservation Foundation,
Baby Lorenzo, Asics marketing manager, and race director
Neville Jay Manaois as they display the finishers’ shirts
during the launch of the Condura Skyway Marathon:
Run for the Mangroves, set Feb. 3, 2013, at the PSA
Forum at Shakey’s Malate on Tuesday.

Organizers of the Condura Skyway Marathon: Run for the Mangroves expect a bigger staging for its next edition in February next year with 2,500 runners projected in the long-busting 42k distance.

"So far, after only three days of registration, 1,000 runners have already registered for the 42k. We expect 2,500 full marathoners overall, so this will be one of the largest full marathon events in the country," said Ton Concepcion, chief organizing officer of Skyway Marathon during yesterday's PSA Forum at Shakey's Malate.

Concepcion said the entire field in the event, set Feb. 3, 2013, will be limited to 13,000 runners overall, who will try to "conquer the Skyway and build a mangrove forest" in the 42K, 21K, and 10K races as well as the new 6K and 3.8K distances, which replace the previous 5K and 3K runs, respectively.

Miranda, Languido reach 26th MILO National finals

BUTUAN CITY, November 18, 2012 – Elite runners Judelyn Miranda and Richeel Languido dominated the 21-k Butuan qualifying leg of the 36th National MILO Marathon participated by 7,859 runners, organizers said on Sunday through a press statement.

Reasserting her dominance in the sport, seasoned trackster Miranda finished far ahead of her distaff division contenders with a time of  one hour, 28 minutes and 28 seconds to claim her fourth MILO Marathon Butuan title and a spot in the National Finals for another chance of bringing home the coveted national title.

Veterans rule Columbia Trail Masters Davao

DAVAO CITY – The duo of biker Dexter Nonato and triathlete April John Maniyog of Davao Outdoor Tours & Adventure (DOTA) ruled the duathlon event while marathoners Lloyd Malinao and Joy Mawalic shared top honors in the trail run of the Columbia Trail Masters Davao held Saturday at the Paradise Island Park and Beach Resort in Samal, Lito delos Reyes of SCOOP Davao reported in the association's Facebook page.

Nonato, 29, team captain of the Inday Sara Duterte Cycling team, and 20-year old Maniyog used their advantage in biking as they broke away from the lead pack at the start of the downhill ride of the 30-kilometer road bike.

“After the first 9.8 kilometer loop, we already had gained the lead,” said Nonato, who recently saw action in the Ronda Pilipinas qualifying race held in Tarlac.

Jopson is best Pinoy triathlete in XTERRA Global tilt

Vaseline Men XTERRA Philippine team members - (from left) Drew
Arellano, Redg Plopinio, Matteo Guidicelli, Hector Yuson and Noy
Jopson celebrate after finishing their events.

Veteran triathlete Noy Jopson posted the best clocking among Filipino participants in the XTERRA Off-Road Triathlon Global Championship held recently in Maui, Hawaii.

Jopson, one of the five members of the Vaseline Men XTERRA Philippine Team, posted a time of three hours, 34 minutes and 50 seconds in what is considered as one of the most difficult course in the world. 

The course features 1.5-kilometer rough water swim, a 30.4-kilometer mountain bike track, and a 9.5-kilometer roller-coaster-ride-like trail run through fields and forests, according to a press statement released by the XTERRA Philippine Team.

Nerza, Donos win 36th MILO Marathon's Davao qualifying leg

DAVAO CITY (November 11, 2012)  - Anthony Nerza posted a personal best on his way to victory while former champion Floredilisa Donos proved she is still a force to reckon with in local foot race as they finished on top of their respective categories during the 36th MILO Marathon Davao qualifying leg on Sunday.

Nerza reached the finish line in one hour, 12 minutes and 30 seconds to win the men's 21k title and a spot int he Natonal Finals next month in Pasay City and in the process stopped defending champion Brian Lupio from posting a back-to-back win, organizers said in a press statement released to media organizations.

Lupio (1:13:54) was a far second while University of Mindanao’s James Castillo (1:14:21) came in third and salvaged a podium finish.

Lupio, Jaro raring to qualify for the 36th MILO Marathon national finals

Manila, Philippines (November 6, 2012) – Last year’s top qualifiers Brian Lupio and Cynthia Jaro, both of whom are among the region’s finest runners, are set to stamp their class in the 36th MILO Marathon's Davao qualifying race this Sunday, organizers said in press statement released on Tuesday.

Also raring to make a comeback this year is Brokenshire College varsity mainstay Anthony Nerza. Nerza crossed the finish line shortly after Lupio last season.

“We are looking forward to seeing the strong running force of Davao compete in this Sunday’s race. New runners will challenge seasoned veterans in the sport, so it will be an interesting competition,” said Robbie de Vera, MILO Sports Executive.

Starting times have been set for the different race divisions, with the 21-k starting gun set to fire at 4:30AM, the 10-k race at 5:00AM, and the 5-k and 3-k races at 5:30AM. To entertain runners and spectators alike, local organizers will host an exciting cheer dance competition and special side events for local school delegations.

Maluyo, Jaro gain national finals spots

Criselyn Jaro (middle) raises her trophy during the
awarding ceremonies.

General Santos City (Nov. 4, 2012) - Gilbert Maluyo and Criselyn Jaro topped the 21k MILO Marathon Regional qualifying race here on Sunday to earn a spot in the upcoming national finals this December.

Maluyo, currently studying at Holy Trinity College, booked a time of 1 hour, 14 minutes and 12 seconds to win the men's category while Jaro checked in at the 1:31:23 mark to gain the women's category title in the 36th staging of the annual footrace.

Jaro, whose other four sisters will try to qualify for the national finals during next week's Davao qualifying race, is looking forward to running with her siblings in the national finals set on December  9 at the Mall of Asia in Pasay City.


“Last year, my sister Cynthia and I made a 1-2 finish in the 21-k Davao race. I look forward to running alongside my sisters at the finale, but this will not stop me from pursuing the top spot,” said Jaro.