13k runners expected at Condura Skyway Marathon 2013

The Skyway beckons for some 13,000 runners who are expected to answer the starting gun for the Condura Skyway Marathon: Run for the Magnroves 2013 on Feb. 3, organizers said in a press statement released Friday (11 Jan. 2013).

This year's races – featuring  42K, 21k, and 10k events as well as the new 6K and 3.8k – will flag off at Filinvest City in Alabang, taking the runners in all distances through the Skyway, where their running skills will be put to a test by difficult conditions.

"The route is difficult and challenging," said race director Neville Manaois. "First is the weather, participants will be running at 12 a.m. There's also lots of false flats, some uphill climb, and since it's elevated, there will be strong winds coming from Laguna de Bay."

Ton Concepcion, chief organizing officer of Skyway Marathon, and running ambassador Patrick Concepcion also said they are anticipating a continued increase in turnout in the longer distances.

Run Batanes! 50 Miles/21 kilometer

I would love to complete my first ultra-marathon in Batanes.

It will be a totally fantastic experience to shoot two birds in one stone. First I'd be able to cross "visiting Batanes" in my bucket list and if successful, I'd be crossing "running an ultra-marathon", too.

If you have written those two events in your own bucket list, then you have a chance to accomplish those with the Run Batanes! 50 miles/21 kilometer set on May 4 of next year.

Organized by Jonel Mendoza of Front Runner Magazine, registration is now open for the monumental event.

I am not surprised at all that Mendoza can think of such a run. After all, Mendoza is known for his non-traditional brand when it comes to organizing trail runs.

Only Mendoza can think of such crazy races, which have brought and gathered runners from around the globe to experience Philippine outdoors and hospitality.

Press Release: Tallam, De Los Santos post back-to-back MILO Marathon national finals win

With Eduardo Buenavista at the forefront, about 21,388 runners
marked a milestone in MILO Marathon history, as organizers
report that they surpassed the initial 200,000 collective
target by over 10,000 runners, shattering last year’s 200,000
headcount.

Defending MILO Marathon champions James Tallam and Mary Grace de los Santos claimed their back-to-back wins in the 42K Open category run on Sunday in the event which started and ended at the Mall of Asia in Pasay City.

Tallam posted a remarkable finishing time of 2:26:34 and led fellow Kenyans Josphat Too (2:28:52) and Alex Melly (2:29:06) towards a 1-2-3 finish in the men's category while 25-year-old de los Santos dismissed a strong line of contenders to bag the MILO Marathon race title and lead two-time MILO Marathon Queen Jho-an Banayag (2:55:56) and Kenyan Everline Atancha (3:03:39) towards an easy finish.

Tallam, Delos Santos repeat as MILO Marathon national finals champions

The smiles of Eduardo Buenavista (right) and Cebu's pride Mary 

Joy Tabal showed their fulfillment after topping the 42K local  

division category during Sunday's  36th MILO Marathon  

national finals which started and ended 

at the Mall of Asia in Pasay City.

(PERRY LEGASPI)

Congratualtions to defending champions Kenyan James Tallam and Mary Grace delos Santos after they posted back-to-back wins in the 42K open category of the 36th MILO Marathon on Sunday.

Not to be outdone, Eduardo Buenavista and Mary Joy Tabal shared the limelight with victories in the local division. 

The Kenyans, however, took the thunder out of Filipino runners in the 21K event as David Kipsang and Jackline Nzibo respectively won the men and women categories of the open division.

In the local division of the 21K race, Immuel Camino and Jocelyn Elijeran topped the men and women races, respectively.

Continue reading for the rest of the top finishers in all categories and divisions.