Tribute run for Steve Jobs

CNET's Boonmsri Dickinson reported that a runner in Tokyo ran a half-marathon as a tribute to former Apple CEO Steve Jobs, who recently quit his job at the world's biggest tech company.

Warizal, Dela Rosa win MILO Marathon's Palawan eliminations

A pair of unheralded runners struck with enough precision to rule the Puerto Princesa City elimination leg of the 35th National Milo Marathon, organizers said Sunday in a press release distributed to news organizations and bloggers.

Norlan Warizal outraced back-to-back Puerto Princesa regional race champ Roben Samoya in the last kilometer to win the men’s division with a time of 1:14:22, while newcomer Jila de la Rosa surprised the more seasoned participants by grabbing the women’s top honor with a clocking of 1:36:53.

It was a big day for the 26-year-old Warizal, who rose to the top even without a coach and relied heavily on YouTube training videos of world renowned Olympian and long-distance runner Ryan Hall to guide his training and improve his performance.

 “Last year, the only training I knew was to run long distances, but this year I wanted to try something different and improve, so I looked to Youtube videos of my running idol Ryan Hall on training programs and speed workouts,” said Warizal. 

Even the weather seemed to cooperate on the victory as Tropical storm Mina cleared in time for a sunny morning race, which helped the former baggage counter attendant secure his first major crown after five years of competitive running.

“I really did not expect to win today, but I wanted to do my best and improve my time. From the start of the race, I really pushed my endurance and speed to maintain my lead. Towards the turnaround, I sped up even more to gain a 2-minute lead against my competitor,” added Warizal, last year’s 28th placer in the National Milo Marathon Finals.

Warizal’s win relegated heavily favored Samoya to just second with a time of 1:16:33. “I really wanted to top the Palawan race again, but I over-trained and fell ill Thursday right before the race. I still tried to lead but toned down after feeling muscle strain at the 3rd kilometer and could not keep up” said 2010 Milo Marathon 8th placer Samoya.

Local bet Marco Laipan settled for third in 1:23:18, while Felicimo Jr. Mambaje managed 1:23:33 for fourth, Sherwin Leonidas timed 1:28:11 for fifth and Johnrey Labrador was sixth in 1:29:30. 

Completing the top ten cast in the 21-k flat course were Mendoza Roderick at seventh (1:31:44), Wilfredo Quipquip Sr. for the 8th spot (1:32:14), Diomie Caballero finished 9th (1:33:17) and Manuel Dotillos of Western Command settling for the 10th position (1:34:01).

On the distaff side, Puerto Princesa native and Education major at the University of Sto. Tomas, Jila dela Rosa posted her maiden victory on her first attempt at the half marathon. Armed with skills from her track and field training in UST, and personal training from her father, 18 year old De la Rosa moved up from 10-k races to be the lone Palawena qualifier to the Manila finals.

“During the race, I made sure I ran my own pace which I trained for in my time trials. I made sure I didn’t get pressured by the lead pack or other competitors so I won’t over exert myself. As I am more accustomed to 10k, I felt the challenge of 21k when my feet started to feel heavier, it was harder to speed up and I got harsh blisters on my feet, but I am thankful I finished first despite a number of really good competitors” added De la Rosa.

Falling in second place was veteran Bernardita Mag-aso in 1:47:18 and Victorina Calma was third in 1:49:06. Conchita Dingcol settled for fourth (2:00:04), Flores Joanna at fifth (2:07:53) and Maricris Laipan for sixth (2:18:55).

Warizal and de la Rosa will lead nine other age group qualifiers, Marco Laipan, Felicimo Jr. Mambaje, Sherwin Leonidas, Johnrey Labrador, Ruben Samuya, Diomie Caballero, Wilfredo Sr. Quipquip, Joel Jr. Dela Rosa, Ebod Balsinio  into the Finals on Dec. 11 at the SM Mall of Asia.

 They will be joined by previous regional leg winners Eliud Kering of Kenya and Luisa Raterta of Batanagas, Mercy Taypoc and Reynaldo Pascua of Ilocos, Hernani Sore and Jessa Mangsat of Dagupan, Robeno Javier of Olongapo, Jujet de Asis, Geraldine Sealza of Tarlac and Manila elims titlists James Tallam of Kenya and RP team standout and former champion Jho-Ann Banayag.

At stake in the full 42-195-k finals won by Eduardo Buenavista and Flordeliza Donos last year is a whopping Php 300,000 for the men and women’s champion.

500 pairs of shoes were given to students of Palawan National National High School, East Central School and elementary schools Pilot, Mateo Jagmis Memorial and Wescom as part of the National Milo Marathon’s “Help Give Shoes” advocacy.  

The 35th National MILO Marathon heightens its commitment of building champions in sports and in life by continuing its advocacy of providing running shoes to underprivileged children. Last year, a total of 4,200 pairs were donated to public school children nationwide. This season, in line with Nestle’s celebration of 100 years, the advocacy aims to give 100 pairs of shoes to 100 students from 100 schools nationwide—a total of 10,000 more shoes donated.

From Puerto Princesa City, the 17-leg eliminations will move to Naga City on Sept. 4 and San Pablo on Sept. 11. Then the Visayas swing will start in Ilo-Ilo City on Sept. 18, Bacolod (Sept. 25), Cebu City (Oct 2), Tagbilaran (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.

Raterta rules Batangas MILO eliminations

Raterta (left) and Kering show their trophies for posterity.

BATANGAS City, August 21, 2011--Kenyan Eliud Kering and veteran Luisa Raterte displayed their deadly form on Sunday to rule the Batangas leg of the 35th National Milo Marathon here, according to a press release from the organizers on Sunday.

The 29-year-old Raterta of Sta. Rosa, Laguna finshed the 21-km. race in 1:31:42, while the 25—year-old journeyman Kering timed 1: 12:56 to lead a cast of 18 other runners who qualified to the National Finals on Dec. 11 at the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City.

Despite the absence of strong rivals, Raterta found the flat and uphill route as a big challenge to maintain her speed from the onset and lead by almost 11 minutes over closest pursuer Ellen Tolentino, who clocked 1:42:07.  Maureen Anne Cruzada was a distant third with a time of 1:52:37,while Era May Ong was fourth with 2:11:15 and Eizza Johann Ocado settled for fifth in 2:11:15.

“I was expecting a flat route but I was surprised that the course was uphill. It was a challenge of stamina and endurance for me at the start of the race, but it was a breeze going back downhill after the turnaround,” said Raterta, a running coach and winner of the National MILO Marathon 2010 Manila eliminations.

“My main competitor is time, not the other female runners. I wanted to make sure I get into the 1:35:00 age group qualifier for the finals.”

It was a vengeful win by Raterta, who failed to join last year’s National Finals due to injury from over training. “This year, my goal is to move up the ladder and be number one. I’m preparing two months prior to the finals to focus solely on training,” she stressed.

It’s a double victory in the Milo Marathon for Raterta as the runner and mother of 3 shares the spotlight with her 9 year old daughter, Leonalyn. The younger Raterta braved the icy rains and wind and topped the competitive 3k race in the recent National MILO Marathon Manila elims with a 0:12:22 finish. “I’m very proud of my daughter’s achievements and I am very happy that we share the same passion in the sport.”

On the men’s side, Kering of Rift Valley, Nandi district, who just arrived in the country last May, led a 1-2 finish by the Kenyan runners following Douglas Mwiti’s time of 1:13:40 to finish second. Dandelon Bumahit was third with a time of 1:21:35, while Angelo Lasibal clocked 1:24:52 for fourth and Alvin Canada at the fifth spot with 1:26:27.

 A total of  6,729 runners participated in the different race categories, which showed the continued rise and popularity of running in this southern part of the island. Five hundred Batangueno students and beneficiaries of the race’s “Help Give Shoes” advocacy also hit the track with their new running shoes.

Both Raterta and Kering will join other leg winners including Mercy Taypoc and Reynaldo Pascua of Ilocos, Hernani Sore and Jessa Mangsat of Dagupan, Robeno Javier of Olongapo and Jujet de Asis, Geraldine Sealza of Tarlac in the Finals, to vie for the Php 300,000 top pot for the  men women’s champion won by Eduardo Buenavista and Flordeliza Donos last year.
From Batangas, the 17-leg race will shift to Puerto Princesa  Ciy in Palawan on August 28, Naga  on Sept 4 and San Pablo on Sept 11. Then the Milo Marathon heads to Ilo-Ilo (Sept 18), Bacolod (Sept. 25), Cebu City (Oct 2), Tagbilaran (Oct 9), Cagayan De Oro (Oct 16), Butuan (Oct 23), General Santos (Oct 30), Davao (Nov 6) with Manila Finals slated on December 11.

The 35th National MILO Marathon heightens its commitment of building champions in sports and in life by continuing its advocacy of providing running shoes to underprivileged children. Last year, atotal of 4,200 pairs were donated to public school children nationwide. This season, in line with Nestle’s celebration of 100 years, the advocacy aims to give 100 pairs of shoes to 100 students from 100 schools nationwide—a total of 10,000 more shoes donated.

Panique rules Run United 2

Eric Panique (center) during the awarding of the Run United 2  contest last Aug. 21 at the  Global City in Taguig.

"This one goes to my family."

This was probably what Eric Panique was thinking after winning the Run United 2 that started and ended inside the Global City in Taguig last Aug. 21.

"May maipapadala na uli ako sa probinisya," said Panique after winning the men's 21k event and pocketing the P20,000 cash prize.

Panique is one of the athletes currently making waves in the local scene who traces their roots to Himaymalan City in Negros Occidental.

The 26-year-old runner like Julius Sermona, Ryan Hullez and Ian Clark Bautista are all from the small city which produced some of the country's promising long-distance runners.

And Panique best exemplifies the kind of athlete that city produces.

Panique topped the men's relay competition of the CamSur's Ironman exactly a week ago together with hristopher Allison and Johansen Agular.. Prior to that he placed second in the Manila eliminations of the 35th Milo Marathon.

The Kenyans, who like Panique are making a living as runners in what local organizes can offer in this third-world country, failed to compete in the premiere category and showed what they can do in the 10K event.

"Naubusan sila ng entry. Ang dami kasi talagang sumali," said a member of the organizing team.

In the absence of the Kenyans, local stars Mary Grace Delos Santos (1:25:51), Nhea Ann Barcena (1:34:10) and Marecil Maquilan (1:37:45) posted a 1-2-3 finish in the women’s 21-k event.

But the Kenyans showed why some of the Filipino runners are detesting their continued presence in local running events as they dominated the men's and women's 10K races.

Benjamin Kipkazi spearhead his compatriots domination in the men's category as he submitted a gun time of 33 minutes and 25 second followed by James Tallam (33:25) and  Albert Omboga (33:42).

Another Kenyan, Susan Jemutai (41:36) topped the  women’s 10K race and relegated Cinderela Lorenzo  (43:42) and  Michelle Anne Tibagacay (44:28) to second and third spots, respectively.

It was the same in the men’s 5K run with Kenyans Stanley Ting (16:01) and Willy Rotich (16:08) bagging the top two honors with  local veteran runner Rafael Poliquit Jr. (16:29) salvaging a third place finish.

In the women’s 5K event, Janette Lumidao  (20:37), Mary Ann Dela Cruz (22:15) and Merlyn Lumagbas (22:43) completed the top-three spots.

Meantime,  Michael Bacong  (10:05) ruled the men’s 3K contest followed by Roger Denolo  (10:10) and Carlito Fantilaga (10:17). In the distaff side, Mars De Vera (12:43), Mary Grace Dela Torre (12:48) and Adjennie Rose De Los Santos (13:41) finished at the top of the category.

Here are other pictures that told the story of Sunday's event.

Podium finishers waiting for their turn to receive their medals, cash  and gift cheques.

Kadayawan Phoenix Run set Aug. 21

A friend from Davao, Lito Reyes, sent me this Press Release regarding the Kadayawan Phoenix Run. I got the poster from another friend's blog, Mo Billacura.


The press release said that this year's  Kadayawan Phoenix Run Takbo Para Sa Kinabookasan is set on August 21, Sunday at 4 a.m. in an out and back course at the SM City Davao.


“We will now have a 32-kilometer category for men and women,” said PPPI’s promotions-in-charge Neb Bulaclac yesterday at the weekly SCOOP Sa Royal Mandaya sponsored by Royal Mandaya Hotel, Beefit Gym, Philippine Sports Commission, Genesis 88, Yellow Gate, High Ponds Beach Resort and Stadium Buffet Restaurant and Sports Lounge.


The other categories are the 16K, 8K and 4K. The registration fees are P800 for 32K, P600 for 16K, P350 for 8K and P250 for 4K with free singlets, race bib and finishers certificate.


The participants of the 32K and 16K will also get a timing chip, finisher’s t-shirts and finisher’s medals.


The deadline of registration is on Aug. 16. Only the first 5,000 participants can receive the limited edition Kadayawan Phoenix Run singlet.


“The run is also a tribute to our beloved hero Ninoy Aquino and his ideals of freedom and love of country,” Bulaclac added.


Also present at the public service sports program was PPPI’s marketing-in-charge Ben Sur, who said that “the Kadayawan Phoenix Run is for the benefit and support to the Phoenix Phils. Foundation’s education program especially in providing books to pre-school students of chosen adopted schools.”


Sur said that they will be donating textbooks for the four public schools that were hit by the recent flashflood in Davao City.


Lawyer Pinky Cabreros is the race organizer while Kenneth Sai of Vantage Sports is the race director.


Cash prizes and trophies are at stake for the winners, while the Jazz Up you singlet contest will again be featured. Registration centers are at the Phoenix Bulk Depot, Adidas shop at Gaisano Mall and Phoenix Acacia.