3rd QCIM reels off this Sunday

A fast and exciting race looms in the third edition of the Quezon City International Marathon (QCIM) which reels off on Dec. 4, with all the race routes for its four events mapped out and certified by the Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association (PATAFA) in close coordination with the race organizer, Executive Runners Club of the Philippines (Runnex).

For the safety of the participants, part of the Elliptical Road and the entire north-bound lane of Commonwealth Ave. which covers a major portion of the race course will be closed to traffic during the QCIM.

Expected to participate in the annual event are 15,000 local and foreign runners with organizers saying that the number could swell more because of extension in the registration until Wednesday, Nov. 30. 

Reprint: How to hack a Marathon even if you are not a runner

Here is an interesting read from Andrew Gertig who hacked a marathon early this year even without training. Gertig said that he and several friends tried to do a marathon just for fun and see if they can hack it even without proper training.


Read on how Gertig did it.

Its the form not the shoes - McDougall

Click on the picture to view The New York Times Magazine video on the right way to run.  The picture is also from the same media outfit.

Christopher McDougall, runner and author of best-seller Born To Run, argued that its not the shoes but the form that is important in running and running fast.

McDougall in an aricle published by the New York Times explained that most runners today are heel runners instead of being  "whisper soft striders."

"Two years ago, in my book, “Born to Run,” I suggested we don’t need smarter shoes; we need smarter feet. I’d gone into Mexico’s Copper Canyon to learn from the Tarahumara Indians, who tackle 100-mile races well into their geriatric years. I was a broken-down, middle-aged, ex-runner when I arrived. Nine months later, I was transformed. After getting rid of my cushioned shoes and adopting the Tarahumaras’ whisper-soft stride, I was able to join them for a 50-mile race through the canyons. I haven’t lost a day of running to injury since," McDougall wrote.

Part of the blame, according to McDougall, is the fear "marketed" by sports companies. Runners are brainwashed that "good"-looking, scientifically-designed shoes, including the "barefoot" brand, will thelp them achieve better personal bests and results.

But because runners do not have the right form, they usually suffer injuries instead of performing better.

Here is an illustration of what McDougall is preaching.

Illustration courtesy of The New York Times

I am giving this kind of running a try and based on my last three races, I believe that my performance is getting better.

Maybe you should try this too.

Lupio wins Davao elims of 35th MILO marathon

As expected the top bets clutched slots to the National Finals as the 17 regional qualifying legs of the 35th National MILO Marathon came to a close last Sunday in Davao City.

Brian Lupio came more prepared and went on to outrace three-time national champion Cresenciano Sabal to pocket the P10,000 top purse. Sisters Cynthia Jaro and Criselyn Jaro posted a 1-2 finish with a clocking of 1:31:48 and 1:32:47 respectively in the women's category.

The 23-year-old Lupio of Baguio District, Davao City, fell behind speeding Anthony Nerza before regaining his form and engaged Sabal in a see-saw battle in the halfway mark until Lupio took command in the last seven kilometers of the race and finished alone to record a new personal best time of 1 hour, 13 minutes and 33 second. Nerza (1:14:30) finished at second spot while Sabal (1:17:26) of the Philippine Army salvaged a podium finish. 

“Going into the race, I was wary of the competition because I heard that I will be running against Sabal and Nerza who are both strong runners so I really made an effort to prepare,” said Lupio, who won his second MILO regional title despite blistered feet and untied shoelaces.

Lupio was referring to 22-year-old Nerza of Kapatagan, Digos, Davao del Sur  who is the 2010 National Finals 4th placer and 33-year-old Sabal, the national titlist in 2005, 2007 and 2009.

Sabal had his own predicament when he failed to finish the Gen. Santos City leg last week due to leg pains, but recovered just in time to join the last elimination race and booked a finals spot as he targets a fourth title.

“I am happy that I still finished third despite my condition. I hope to get my fourth MILO Marathon King title, that’s why me and fellow Philippine Army runners are training hard and strategizing to make a competitive performance against Kenyan and Ethiopian runners,” said Sabal.

Completing the top 10 in the men's division were Ricky Grande (1:19:02),  John Lyd Pasaforte (1:20:41), Mario Ecalner (1:22:02), Robert Daang (1:23:55), Ronald Dagaang (1:23:57), Rodien Hormigas (1:24:01) and Benes Delgado (1:27:31).

On the distaff side, 20-year-old Cynthia Jaro of Turil, Davao City and her sister Criselyn made the age group qualifier cut-off with 21 others in both the men's and women's categories.

“My 21k last year was my first and I was not as prepared then as I am now. This year’s route was more challenging with eight uphill and downhill parts that tested my endurance, but thankfully competition wasn’t that close and I finished ahead,” said Cynthia, last year’s National MILO Marathon 10th placer. Cynthia aims to make top 10 and improve her record of 3:23:00 to 3:10:00 this year.

The field of 12,053 runners contributed to the National MILO Marathon’s ‘Help Give Shoes’ advocacy to raise 500 pairs of shoes for students of Leon Garcia National High School, Daniel R. Aguinaldo National High School, Manuel L. Quezon Elementary School, Davao City National High School and Magallanes Elementary School.

More than 400 runners qualified for the 42.195-kilometer race at the National MILO Marathon Finals on December 11 at the SM Mall of Asia.

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. Visit www.MILO.com.ph for online registration or go to RUNNR Store Bonifacio High Street, Planet Sports Trinoma or Toby’s SM Mall of Asia.

Energizer-fueled runners

I experienced my third night race last Saturday inside the sprawling Fort Bonifacio Global City in Taguig.

Rain was pouring like cats and dogs but runners, fitted with Energizer headlights, were just egging to experience their night race. According to organizers of the 2011 Energizer Philippines Night Race, more than 5,000 runners participated in the 3-kilometer, 5K and 10K events.

The event, however, was more than racing, it was actually an advocacy run to help hearing-challenged children in partnership with GMA Kapuso Foundation.

“It was really a great experience and I’m really satisfied of the final leg of Energizer Night Race,” said Energizer Product Manager Fritzie Lee, who emphasizes that their event will serve also as a good example of a great charitable work to other organizations.

“Our theme for this year is ‘Race for a Brighter World,’ but our global campaign revolves on ‘Positive Energy,’" said Lee, noting the hearing aids and Energizer Zero-Mercury hearing-aid batteries have been already distributed to the beneficiaries after the event.


The race, the last stop of a four-leg series in the country, is part of the Global Energizer Night Race extravaganza being held simultaneously in other countries, among them the United States, Canada, Argentina, Greece, Ecuador, Singapore, Belgium, South Africa and many others.

According to Energizer Brand Manager Joan Mendoza, the one-night running spectacle has doubled the numbers of participants in the previous races - - Davao, Dagupan and Cebu City - - which could probably happen next year again.

“We met all expectations. We thank the runners who braved the rains and joined the Manila leg of Energizer Night Race. It is truly inspiring and we can’t wait for next year” said Mendoza. “In Davao, we had at least 2, 500, in Dagupan 2, 000 and in Cebu most likely 3, 000. And right now for the first time in Manila, we have achieved our target 5, 000 runners. It was really indeed one of a kind run.”

“It was very successful despite the weather condition because we felt the fun and excitement.”

runners' wall agrees with Mendoza, that the race was successful. But it was more than successful, it was unforgettable.

Registration now open for 35th MILO marathon finals

Aspirants to the National MILO Marathon throne will have one last chance on Sunday to make the December finals when the country's longest running foot race holds its last 21K elimination leg in Davao City even as organizers opened the registration for the national finals.

Organizers placed the total number of registered runners at 12,450, including those in the 21K, 10K, 5K and 3K categories. Among the confirmed entries are last year's Davao leg winner Brian Lupio, 2010 National Finals fifth placer Anthony Nerza and Cynthia Jaro, who placed 7th in last year's finals.

The race will see tougher competition as marathoners from neighboring provinces of General Santos, Cebu and Cagayan de Oro converge in Davao to vie for the P10,000 pot for the grand winner and a slot in the National Finals.

Just like the previous legs, runners finishing within the cutoff times of 1:15:00 for male and 1:35:00 for female will earn all-expense paid trips to the Manila finals.

Race organizer Kenneth Sai expressed elation over the registration turnout, which has exceeded the
12,000 targeted runners. Sai adds the the Davao National MILO Marathon was endorsed by the local
government and will be supported by the Davao City Police Office and the Traffic Management Center.

Registration now open for Manila Finals

The National MILO Marathon now opens registration to the Finals on December 11 at the SM Mall of
Asia. Online registration for 3K, 5K, 10K and 21K is ongoing until Nov. 27 through www.runrio.com.
Runners can also register at Toby's, Runner, Planet Sports and Athletes' Foot branches until December
4. An empty pack of Milo 20g is required along with the various registration fees: P100 for 3K and 5K
and P500 for 10K and 21K. All runners will be provided with singlet and timing chips.

More than 400 of the country’s best runners will vie for the grand prize of P300,000 in the premiere
42.195K full marathon. The runner-up will settle for P150,000 while the third placer will take home
P75,000.

Three-time winner Eduardo Buenavista and Flordeliza Donos are the defending Marathon King and
Queen in the championship which will start at 4 a.m. and end at the SM Mall of Asia grounds in Pasay
City.

A special prize of P20,000 will be given to the runners who will break the 2:18:53 men's record of
Buenavista and 2:48:16 women's record of two-time champion Jho-An Banayag. P50,000 will also be
awarded to the first runner to break the 2:15:00 invisible time barrier.