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.