22k runners expected at the Cebu City Milo Marathon elims

Some 20,000 runners are expected to participate as the 35th MILO National Marathon holds its 12th Regional Elimination race on Sunday at the Osmena Boulevard in Cebu City, organizers said in a press statement.

Race organizers led by Ricky Ballesteros said they are confident they can meet the targeted number of runners, which may so far be the largest regional qualifying race for the annual event this year.

“The MILO Marathon has always been a much awaited event for the Cebu running community and I am confident that we will reach the target of 20,000 runners this year,” said Ballesteros, who has been in the forefront in the development of long distance races in the Queen City of the South.

Among those expected to dominate the 21-km Cebu Leg, which will start at the Osmena Blvd. and end at the Cebu City Sports Complex, are current RP team member and defending women’s titlist Mary Joy Tabal, perennial marathon champion Mendel Lopez and triathlete Noy Jopson.

Tabal who won her first championship in last year’s Cebu MILO Marathon eliminations has since been topping other long-distance runs in the Visayas region. Fresh from winning gold medals in the 2011 Philippine National Games in Bacolod City, the 22 year old Tabal is gearing up to top anew the regional leg to clutch the P0,000 pot and a spot in the Manila finals.

Ballesteros, who is also the manager of Cebu City Sports Complex, expressed elation over the cooperation of 1000 volunteers from government agencies, Philippine National Police, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, medical groups, civic groups and running enthusiasts for the MILO Marathon.

Local government officials lead by Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, Vice Mayor Joy Augustus Young and Department of Education official Dr. Reamar Angtud are also expected to grace the fiesta-like running event. Also joining the field are singer actress Donna Cruz and husband Dr. Yong Larrazabal.

A total of 500 pairs of shoes will also be given to the school children of Inayawan Elementary School, Barrio Luz National High School, Apas National High School, Abellana National School and Don Vicente Rama Memorial School as part of the marathon’s “Help Give Shoes” Advocacy. So far, some 6,000 pairs of shoes have already been given to school children in the previous 11 qualifying legs.

A sum of P10,000 will be awarded to the top three schools with the Biggest delegation and most number of students to finish the 5-km run as well as 3-km Kiddie category and another P10,000 will be awarded to the Inter-School running competition, which will be given to the Fastest aggregate time of team’s first 25 finishers.

A Cheer Dance side event will also be held which offers P7,500 plus plaque to the best squad.

Quisay, Lee top Bacolod Milo Marathon elims

Alley Quisay and Joeyry Lee topped the Bacolod Elimination Leg of the 35th National Milo Marathon on Sunday, organizers said in a press release distributed to media organizations.

The 30-year-old Quisay of Pangasinan crossed the finish line all alone with a time of 1:13:11 in the 21-kilometer trial and ensure himself of a spot in the national finals scheduled this December.

“At the start, I purposely paced behind the other runners to size up the competition and reserve my strength.   Then after the turning point, I could sense my competitors were already tired so I put all my strength into speeding up and from there I led till the end,” said Quisay, a fourth placer in the National Milo Marathon Finals last year.

Local bet Anthony Babiera could only manage 1:14:14 to settle for second while Roger Denolo (1:14:52) finished third and Joel Alcorn (1:14:52) fourth.  Rommel Hulleza was a distant fifth with a time of 1:19:34.

On the distaff side, Joeyry Lee of Cebu posted 1:40:56 to win the women’s category and capture her second regional eliminations leg championship. But her efforts failed her to earn a spot in the finals.

“Kulang talaga ang oras sa ensayo dahil naka-focus ako sa school. I'll just prepare for next year's MILO marathon," said Lee, a 3rd year BS-Information Technology Student at University of Southern Philippines.

Completing the women’s top 5 were second placer Joyce Serquillos (1:58:01) of Bacolod, third placer Shalne Fe Antosada (2:08:50), fourth Myles Jordan (2:09:25) and fifth Ylang-Ylang Jordan (2:13:06).

While the women's winner failed to qualify, a total of 19 age group qualifiers advanced to the National Milo Marathon finals at the SM Mall of Asia.

The big field of 8,045 runners were able to donate 500 pairs of shoes to public school students from Bacolod as part of the Milo ‘Help Give Shoes’ advocacy.

From Bacolod City,  the 17-leg eliminations will proceed to  Cebu City on Oct 2, then Tagbilaran on Oct 9, Cagayan De Oro (Oct 16), Butuan (Oct 23), General Santos (Oct 30) and the Davao City leg on Nov. 6.

Agravante, Nobleza top Iloilo 35th Milo Qualifying

Veterans Jeson Agravante and Jennylin Nobleza top the men’s and women’s category of the 21-k Iloilo Qualifying Leg on Sunday, organizers said in a press release.

Sapphire Run at UPLB

If you have this urge to travel south on October 30, then Sapphire Run is one reason why you should just do it.

Enjoy the pollution-free campus of University of the Philippines - Los Banos (UPLB) while supporting the International Year of Forests and the National Greening Program of the government.

Bolivar, Fetalvero lead 39 San Pablo qualifiers in the 35th National Milo Marathon

Veteran Alquin Bolivar and former Milo Marathon Queen Mercedita Manipol-Fetalvero earned finals spots after topping the men and women categories of the Laguna Qualifying Leg of the 35th National Milo Marathon in San Pablo City in the province of Laguna, according to organizers on Sunday.

Taus of Kenya, Paje of Romblon shine in Naga elims of 35th Milo Marathon

Samuel Tarus of Kenya (left) ang Mila Paje of Romblon show their medals after the awarding ceremonies

Samuel Tarus of Kenya and Mila Paje of Romblon made their presence dominated their respective categories during the Naga Elimination of the 35th National Milo Marathon that started and ended at the SM Mall in Naga City last Sunday, according to the organizers.