Runners of the 42K and 21K routes will also be passing by the scening Malacañang sa Sugbo, Fort San Pedro and Plaza Independencia on the way to the tunnel.

Organizers, however, are still determining the 5K route. They said they might not use an out-and-back route because of the volume of registrants.

Here are virtual maps of the 42K and 21K routes. You can zoom into the maps for more details. Do check back once in a while because I will be adding more details on the map, including photos.

CCM 42K route

CCM 21K route

The clinic will cover Tapering Techniques and Preparing for the Race with special guests Marie Calica, Editor-in-chief of Runner’s World Magazine Philippines and Beth Siojo, Ultra-marathoner, multi-awarded triathlete and columnist for Runner’s World Magazine.

Admission to the clinic is free! You can register at the Cebu City Marathon booth at the Ayala Active Zone. Ungo Runners, however, have been asked to register as a group. If you are an Ungo Runner, please register online using the form here. The first 150 registrants will get a free copy of Men’s Health, Women’s Health or Runner’s World magazine. For more details, call Daryl at 2328518 or 19. This running clinic is also brought to you by Summit Media, Men’s Health, Women’s Health and Cebu ASAP Advertising Services and Promotions.

Here’s the poster of the event.

To facilitate registration, I’ve set up an online registration form for Ungo Runners who want to attend the clinic. Only certified Ungo Runners (those who’ve joined at least 3 Ungo Runs, whether night runs or LSDs) will be accepted. I will still review the submissions. I will submit the names by Monday, Dec. 13. You have to register before then.

To avail yourself of the special rates, use “code RUN11” in booking your stay. You can book hotel rooms through the hotel’s website at www.waterfronthotels.com.ph or toll free 1-800-10-wfront8 ( 9376688 ).

Here are the hotel’s rates for CCM participants

Room Type                                 Room Rate
Standard Room P3,200.00 nett (single)/P3,600.00 nett (double)
Superior Room P3,600.00 nett (single)/ P4,000.00 nett (double)
Deluxe Room P4,000.00 nett (single)/ P4,400.00 nett (double)
Deluxe Premium P4,800.00 nett (single/double)
Junior Suite P5,500.00 nett (single/double)
Executive Suite P7,500.00 nett (single/double)
Ambassador Room*                   P5,500.00 nett (single/double)
Ambassador Suite*                    P6,500.00 nett (single/double)

Inclusions:

• Buffet breakfast at the Café Uno
• Complimentary bottled water
• Free entrance at Casino Filipino
• Free access to the gym
• Free use of the swimming pool
• WiFi internet connection in all Guest Rooms and Function Rooms
• Shuttle Service to SM City Cebu and Ayala Center Cebu

Additional Inclusion for Ambassador Room or Suite:

• Club floor check-in and check-out
• Continental Buffet Breakfast at the Ambassador Lounge
• Complimentary access to the lounge
• Complimentary all day drink such as coffee, tea, soft drinks, chilled juices & bottled water
• Complimentary Cocktail food and beverage every 5:00pm-7:00pm
• Complimentary use of the Boardroom for a maximum of one (1) hour. Subject to space availability
• Complimentary Internet access for a maximum of one (1) hour at the Lounge
• Complimentary Suit Pressing and Shoe Shine Service (1 pair per day)
• In-room coffee and tea making facilities

Pages said, however, that only about 4,500 shirts are available and a certain number will be allocated for each distance: 5K, 21K and 42K. The shirt costs close to P1,000 and since registration will likely be lower than that, it is more than a bargain for the runners. The Cebu City Marathon is scheduled on Jan. 9, 2011. Organizers will be announcing details of the run in the coming weeks.

Below is the design of the shirt. Click on the image to enlarge.

He was wearing a white running shirt—not the singlet issued by race organizers—and listening to music through earbud earphones.

INNER RHYTHM. Music not only takes runners away to a different place in their mind’s eye but also provides them rhythm for their cadence. (CREATIVE COMMONS PHOTO FROM THE FLICKR PAGE OF ZAPHGOD)

I made a move to pass him when, inexplicably, he suddenly raised his arms in seeming triumph.

I looked back after passing him and saw his eyes closed. He had an expression of someone who just won a race, in his mind’s eye.

I was tempted to bring him back to half-marathon reality, “Dude! We’re not even half-way yet!” but I was too preoccupied computing whether I could break two hours in my first 21K to bother.

I never saw that runner again. I don’t know how he did in the race. More importantly, I never knew what he was listening to.

But I’m willing to bet his player had either Vangelis’s “Chariots of Fire,” “Eye of the Tiger” or the theme song of Rocky.

Call it Chariots of Fire syndrome—the phenomenon of runners listening to music and then breaking into ecstatic celebration in the middle of the run.

Music does that.

In the Run With A Smile last Feb. 14, I was pacing my wife, Marlen, in what was a difficult 10K race for her because of an injury.

Near the University of the Philippines-Cebu campus, we caught up with two male teenagers who appeared to be running on a dare. They appeared to be aping the look of a rock star, not track stars.

While runners all around them were conserving their energy to brace for the steep uphill going to JY Square, one of the two was doing a mean air guitar routine.

He was very intent at it. An air guitar solo, I told myself. Like Slash in the Sweet Child of Mine instrumental solo.

The rock music presumably screaming from his mp3 player had transported him from that street in Barangay Lahug to the stage in Guns N’ Roses’ Use Your Illusion tour.

“Ooh, ooh, oh sweet child of mine!”

Music, said English poet William Congreve, soothes the savage breast.

But on the street, in the tracks and on the trail, music moves runners. It eases the torture that we subject ourselves to.

I built up endurance doing tempo runs while listening to Ramones. Punk’s not dead, I said in a blog post, it has gone jogging.

Nothing builds endurance more rhythmically than “ba-ba-bamp-ba ba-ba-ba-bamp-ba I wanna be sedated.”

But I have since stopped listening to music while running.

Running is not something to be endured, it is something to be enjoyed. I want to enjoy my runs with all my senses.

But in one of my solo runs home, the experience overwhelmed me.

And on the first Mandaue-Mactan Bridge, I screamed-sang the words of the poet:

“How does it feel / How does it feel / To be on your own / With no direction home / Like a complete unknown / Like a rolling stone?”

Running does that.

Dailymile is a website that serves as training log for runners, cyclists and triathletes. What differentiates it from sites like Garmin Connect is that it has a social networking component. It allows you to connect with other runners, cyclists or triathletes. You can view your workouts as well as that of your contacts and people near your location in a Twitter-like stream of entries.

MY DAILYMILE PROFILE PAGE. Dailymile is a cool social training log for runners, cyclists and triathletes. It now supports both Nike+ and Garmin devices. CLICK TO ENLARGE.

I used the site for a while in July but stopped visiting it when I discovered Garmin Connect. The site supported Nike+ but didn’t work with the Garmin Forerunner. Since I use a Forerunner 305 to track my runs, I had to manually enter records in dailymile and it was tedious. Without Garmin support, I didn’t have the incentive to continue maintaining my dailymile account. But for so long, the site indicated that Garmin support was “coming soon” so I didn’t delete my account.

Garmin Connect, on the other hand, imported everything from the device—total distance, GPS points, pace, elevation, heartbeat monitor data etc. The site also has a very useful and well-implemented feature to replay your runs.

When I checked back my dailymile account early this morning to approve a friend request, I found a notification for the beta testing of Garmin support. I registered my Garmin Forerunner 305 and was prompted to enter my Garmin Connect account.

KEEPING TRACK. Dailymile allows you to keep track of your runs—your fastest, longest and most intense. The site said my fastest run was during the Quota Club 12K classic, when I ran at an average pace of 5:27 per kilometer. CLICK ON PHOTO TO ENLARGE.

Dailymile supports Garmin devices through the Communicator plugin that users install to make their devices work with the Garmin Connect website. I had already installed the plugin in my computer so I was ready to import my runs. If you still haven’t installed the plugin, get it from the Garmin website.

To make your Garmin device work with dailymile, just enter your Garmin Connect username and password by clicking on the settings link at the top right portion of the screen and then clicking on devices link in the left menu.

Importing data from the Garmin Forerunner 305 took just a few minutes. At first, it seemed that the Google Chrome browser froze but when I checked my account, I found that dailymile had successfully imported data that were still in the device.

There were a few kinks, though, when I added details to the records.

Dailymile wasn’t able to render the map for my unplanned marathon last March 2 so I had to manually plot the run again. It also wasn’t able to render a map for my Cebu City Marathon 21K run and my Condura Run 21K. I also ended up entering the brands and types of shoes I used twice because the site didn’t prompt me that the data was already entered—the window that popped up kept showing a loading indicator.

The hours that I spent trying out dailymile today was a very pleasant experience. The site is more than just an excellent online logbook for your training and races, it is also a great community that will allow you to meet other runners and athletes. Dailymile even allows you to setup virtual races or challenges.

Dailymile was able to keep track of 42 of my runs totaling 517.39 kilometers. For all that running, I only managed to lose 10 pounds but the site said I burned an equivalent of 201 donuts and expended energy enough to power 56.33 television sets. It also said I earned 62 cheeseburgers, which I have no plans of ever collecting , and that I covered just .01 of the world.

While Garmin Connect will still serve as primary record of my runs, I see myself using dailymile more frequently to track my kilometers and be in contact with other runners. Are you in dailymile? Add me as a contact. Here’s the link to my profile page.

DAILYMILE lists your workouts in a stream of updates similar to what you see in social networks. CLICK ON PHOTO TO ENLARGE

She covered the last 300 meters to the finish line within the automotive speed limit but at a combustive endgame 18 kph before collapsing at the finish line in a guttural scream.

“Aaahhh!!!” her victory cry a shriek of pain. Tolentino snatched the Cebu City Marathon Women’s 42K crown from Mary Grace delos Santos in the final minute and paid for it with a body racked by cramps.

SHE GAVE HER ALL. Aileen Tolentino collapses after winning the Cebu City Marathon 42K Women’s event. CLICK ON PHOTO TO ENLARGE. (PHOTO BY IGI MAXIMO OF PabolFC.com)

The celebration would come later.

Three hours, 15 minutes and 30 seconds from starting her run, Tolentino lay screaming in agony, her head saved from slamming into the pavement by race organizer Meyrick Jacalan. Thirteen seconds later, delos Santos crossed the finish line, buried her face in her hands, and leaned slightly on pacer Elmer Bartolo.

Until that 20 kph traffic sign, you’d have thought the race was delos Santos’s to take.

Delos Santos, the top female runner in Cebu, built an early lead at the South Road Properties, running at least a minute ahead of her long-standing rival. Someone who saw the two runners there said he thought Tolentino was done for, lagging behind a still fresh-looking delos Santos.

But near the Bureau of Internal Revenue office in Banilad, Tolentino already caught up with delos Santos. With their teammates and pacers, the two ran in a pack.

“Ayawg bira! Untol lang, untol” Bartolo told delos Santos at the downhill portion of Escario St. Let the momentum carry you forward, he said, “let your feet bounce.”

With more than two kilometers to go, the runners were taking stock of what’s left in them to expend in a final burst of speed to the finish line.

Delos Santos was withdrawn, her eyes permanently fixed on a spot about 10 meters ahead. Her stride rhythmic and effortless.

Tolentino was three steps behind, her eyes focused on a spot further ahead but once in a while directing an intent gaze at the back of delos Santos’ head.

As the pack turned toward University of the Philippines Cebu College, Tolentino’s teammate passed around a liquid in a plastic pouch. There was a strong acidic smell. Ice candy? Ice candied Gatorade? Vinegar?

Rocket fuel.

The two runners kept the same distance until at that point shortly after they turned towards the IT Park when, with her legs about to give up, Tolentino ran with her heart.

Four hours later, with Tolentino and delos Santos long gone with their medals and other prizes, the organizers were still gathered at the finish line, waiting for the last few runners to finish.

Lawyer and broadcaster Haide Acuña was fidgeting. It turned out she was waiting for her husband, Eugene, who ran the marathon for the first time despite lacking the required mileage in training.

HE NEVER GAVE UP. Haide Acuña embraces Eugene shortly after he finished the marathon that he ran for her. The lack of training and leg cramps did not stop Eugene from finishing the race. CLICK ON PHOTO TO ENLARGE. (PHOTO BY MARLEN LIMPAG)

Haide, in an eloquent post in her blog, said Eugene ran the marathon for her because he wanted to understand her.

“Because I want to understand you. I’m doing this for you,” Eugene told Haide shortly after signing up for the full marathon.

When all but a few had left the IT Park last Sunday, a poignant scene unfolded at the finish line.

Haide erupted in cheers as her husband limped his way to the finish line. She then broke into tears while tightly hugging Eugene, who embraced her while mumbling about how one shouldn’t skip training. All the while, Eugene continued to walk in place to stave off cramps.

Eugene, who ran for one runner’s heart, has a runner’s heart. He never gave up.

Kenyan Willy Tanui dominated the 42K race by finishing the race in 2 hours 30 minutes and 57 seconds. Kenyan missionary Simon Losiaboi, who is currently based in Cebu, placed second with a time of 02:30:57. Eric Panique finished as the fastest Filipino by placing third with his time of 02:32:23.

Kenyan David Kipsang was fourth with his time of 02:35:41 while Elmer Sabal placed fifth with a time of 02:37:23.

On a personal note, I finished my first 21K in 02:04:59. I aimed for a sub-2 finish but couldn’t pass up witnessing the drama in the race between Aileen Tolentino and Mary Grace delos Santos in the last few kilometers.

Here are the official race times:

The results are searchable, to get your time, go to your category and use the search bar at the lower right portion.

42K Male

Cebu City Marathon 01-10-10 Results 42k Male

42K Female

Cebu City Marathon 01-10-10 Results 42k Female

21K Male

Cebu City Marathon 21K Male result

21K Female

Cebu City Marathon 21K – female

Losiaboi, who has won all the races in Cebu that he joined since he arrived here late last year, will be running his first full marathon this Sunday. Being the only Cebu-based top Kenyan runner, organizer Meyrick Jacalan of the Cebu Executive Runners Club (CERC) said they will be assigning race bib no. 1 to Losiaboi.

CEBU CITY MARATHON organizers with Cebu’s top runners (from left): Perl Jacalan, Meyrick Jacalan, Mary Grace delos Santos, Simon Losiaboi, John Pages and CERC president Jesse Taborada. (PHOTOGRAPHED BY MARLEN LIMPAG)

Losiaboi told reporters gathered in Mooon Cafe in Ayala Center Cebu yesterday that he is “not really confident” with winning the race because he is not used to the distance. He said he has no target time to finish the race.

Losiaboi said he only trained for the distance in just one month—running on the roads in Cebu and the two Mandaue-Mactan bridges and doing speed work in the Cebu City Sports Center track oval.

Losiaboi and top Cebu-based female runner Mary Grace delos Santos were presented by organizers Meyrick Jacalan, Perl Jacalan, John Pages and CERC president Jessie Taborada to reporters in a press conference yesterday afternoon.

Delos Santos, who has won all the races she joined in Cebu since she started running here in October 2008, returned to Zamboanga over the holidays to train in the mountains with her trainer Mohsherwin Managil.

Managil said they decided to go home because had they stayed in Cebu, they would have been tempted to join the weekly fun runs in the city and get diverted from their training.

Delos Santos, whose best 42K time is 3 hours and 11 minutes, will be facing stiff competition from Aileen Tolentino, who finished in top spot in her back-to-back outings in the Quezon City International Marathon and the Subic International Marathon. Tolentino was the top Filipina finisher in Quezon City in October while delos Santos was second. Six days later, Tolentino finished third in Subic.

TOP RUNNERS. Reporters interview Cebu’s top female runner Mary Grace delos Santos and Kenyan missionary Simon Losiaboi during a press conference in Mooon Cafe in Ayala Center Cebu. (PHOTOGRAPHED BY MARLEN LIMPAG)

Among the top Kenyan runners expected this Sunday is David Kipsang, who finished 8th in the Subic International Marathon. He will be running the 42K event with compatriots Willy Tanui and Kimber Keberes. Susan Chepkwony will be running in the women’s 42K event.

Kenyans Willy Rotich and Jonathan Cheboi will run in the 21K event.

Jacalan said that as of yesterday, 500 runners have signed up for the full marathon while 750 have registered for the 21K event. At least 1,900 runners have registered for the 5K event.

Organizers have extended the registration for 5K because they don’t need to close it early since runners in the event will not be using timing chips, Jacalan said.

Pages said the 42K race will start at 4 a.m., the 21K at 5:10 a.m. and the 5K at 5:30 a.m. Pages also said a pre-race pasta party will be held at The Terraces in Ayala Center Cebu on Friday at 6 p.m.