Dr. Cecillie “Tata” Milan, resident obstetrician/gynecologist of Cebu Puericulture Center And Maternity House, Inc., prayed for drizzle during the Milo Marathon but said she “didn’t expect it to rain from start to finish.”

Two years after getting encouraged by a friend and colleague, Dr. Benjamin Balaoro, to register for a 5K race in the Milo Marathon Cebu Leg, Milan was running her first full marathon.

Balaoro had encouraged her by saying “that a certain doctor has been running for awhile now and that if she can do it, we can also do it. I rose up to the challenge, even if I could barely finish one round at the oval.”

“I’d like to say I run to lose weight but that’s just one of the many perks of running. I initially ran to deal with work stress…running keeps me sane. My alone time on the road helps me calm down when I want so much to scream at someone, it makes me think about a lot of things, gives me peace,” she said.

When Milan started running, she only joined fun runs and there were not a lot of them then.

“It was only when I started in my residency training that i got “serious” with the sport, mostly because my work is really demanding and stressful. It was a nice break for me. So when I’m not on duty, I make it a point to run even for short distances,” she said.

“When I do early morning runs, I go to work happier and more awake,” Milan said

Milan said that as soon as she learned about the schedule for the Milo Marathon, she went to the Runners’ World websites and used the Smartcoach tool to plot a 16-week training program. Milan said she “tried to diligently follow it,” only swapping days to fit her work schedule, which sometimes require her to go on 24-hour duty.

Milan said she was only able to sleep for five hours before the run, even posting on Facebook her marathon eve jitters and saying a prayer for help to sleep.

It rained non-stop during the race. “I love running in the rain but running for five hours, soaked, on heavy wet socks with major blisters, and chafing all over your aching body was not easy.” She said, however, that there was never a point that she thought she couldn’t finish the run. She was paced by her boyfriend, ultrarunner Joseph Prince Baltazar, and they stuck to her strategy of “taking walk breaks every two kilometers with water breaks.” To lighten the mood, Milan said they’d walk hand in hand and sing the cheesiest OPM song they could think of.

She said they were cheered on by spectators and race officials as her GPS watch registered 42KM on their way to the finish line. Joseph congratulated her and Milan got teary-eyed, hugged and kissed her pacer after realizing she had achieved of her life’s goals. Hand in hand and cheered on by their running friends from Manila and Cebu, Milan and Joseph crossed the finish line together with a time of 5:34:32.

It is almost cliche to say that crossing the finish line of your first marathon changes you but Milan said this is true. “I felt stronger knowing I can do anything so long as I put my heart and my mind into it. Nothing is impossible.”

Milan said her next goal is to run an international marathon. Her boyfriend suggested she try an ultra but the doctor said she still can’t imagine running that distance saying people “are crazy to try it.” But she’s open to changing her mind, after all, at one time she never thought she could run 42 kilometers.

CEBU DELEGATION. Sportswriters’ Association of Cebu awardee Mary Grace delos Santos placed 2nd in the female category of the 42K race last Sunday with a blistering 2:55:09. Other Cebuano runners who joined (compiled with the help of CebuRunning FB page members) are close friends Marben Golez (4:32:55), Jorge “Dindz” Bartolabac (4:53:01) and Dan Morales (4:53). Kirk Milan, the doctor’s ultra-marathoner brother, finished in 4:37:38. Other finishers include Mai-Mai Hermosilla and Jeffrey Codino (4:19:21), Ivan Camsura (4:58:56), Prudencio Bulawan III (5:05:02), Marco Antonio Aranas (5:12:07), Bea Eleora Villo (5:15:08) and Jupiter Hermosilla (5:28:44).

Delos Santos, who has dominated Cebu races ever since she relocated here from Zamboanga, finished her 21K run in 1:26:13, 3 minutes behind the winner, Kenyan Eunice Nyawira Muchiri, who finished with a time of 1:23:20.

MARY GRACE IN KL. Top Cebu-based runner Mary Grace delos Santos at the starting line of the Standard Chartered KL Marathon. (CONTRIBUTED FOTO)

Delos Santos finished ahead of Malaysian Noor Amelia Bt. Musa (1:28:58), Kenyan Jepleting Maiyo (1:29:30), Kenyan Irine Jeptoo Kipchumba (1:29:49) and German Janna Hinz (1:32:03).

Delos Santos’ trip to Kuala Lumpur was sponsored by specialty running store Runnr, which has been supporting her. Runnr founder Roberto “Toby” Claudio, Jr. first met delos Santos when he went to the store to show it to Cebu reporters and bloggers during last year’s soft opening.

GRACE, RENZE. Mary Grace delos Santos with Renze Banawa of Runnr. (CONTRIBUTED FOTO)

Since that meeting, Claudio has been sponsoring delos Santos.

Through Claudio, delos Santos became an endorser of Newton Running shoes, which is exclusively distributed by Runnr.

In last Sunday’s KL Marathon, serial marathoner and Tinago Barangay Councilor Joel Garganera finished his 7th full marathon while businessman Jonathan “Atan” Guardo completed his 5th full marathon.

Losiaboi topped the 16K race that started and ended at The Terraces in Ayala Center Cebu. The Kenyan missionary finished the distance in 53 minutes and 36 seconds. Mendel Lopez, who twice defeated Losiaboi in back-back-back races, finished second with a time of 55 minutes. Adonis Singson was third with a time of 55:20. (Complete list of winners at the end of this article)

SUN.STAR CEBU TEAM. Runners of Sun.Star Cebu who joined the Run4Q. (SUN.STAR PHOTO/RUEL ROSELLO)

In the women’s 16K category, delos Santos went back to her winning ways after a temporary setback during the SRP Sundown Run (the first race she ran after joining an ultramarathon relay in Laguna). Delos Santos, an Sportswriters Association of Cebu (SAC) awardee for running, topped the women’s 16K category by finishing the course in 1 hour, 1 minute and 42 seconds, a new personal record.

Delos Santos was so far ahead of her pack that the second-placer, Mary Joy Tabal, finished 10 minutes later at 1:11:37. Lorhiz Echavez, a SAC awardee for triathlon, finished third with a time of 1:20:37.

Riez Enriquez, meanwhile, topped the men’s 10K with a time of 33 minutes and 29 seconds. Erstwhile top runner Elmer Bartolo placed second with a time of 33:29. Ian Bernido placed third with his time of 34: 18.

In the women’s 10K, Merlyn Alin placed first with her time of 44:23. Meresis Ramires was second with her time of 45:14 while Gerly Rose Baylon placed third with a time of 45:35.

In the 10K media category, Bayani Alvarez of ABS-CBN placed first with a time of 41:19, Jurlito Montecillo of Wild FM placed second with a time of 47:50 while Gabby Lariosa of Cebu Daily News placed third with a time of 48:01.

In the men’s 5K, Jorry Ycong ran away with the top prize by finishing in 16:41. Jobert Carolino was second with a time of 16:49 while Micheal Estrera was third with a time of 16:55.

In the women’s 5K, Aiza Suay Baguio topped her group by finishing in 21 minutes and three seconds. Emily Rosas was second, finishing in 24:04, while Kresha Mae Ygot finished third with a time of 24:59.

In the call center employees’s category, PeopleSupport runners dominated the 5K race by taking the top two spots. Paul James Zafico finished first with a blistering time of 18:30 while Arthur Saveron finished second with a time of 22:04. Kristiane Lim was third, finishing the race in 23:23.

In the men’s 3K, Jerry Laruya won the race in 9:45; Errold Alipio was second with his time of 11:15 while Ian Rommel Rivera was third with his time of 11:47. In the Women’s 3K, Romylin Ignacio placed first with a time of 15:27; Judith Ocana was second with her time of 16:25; while Lavina Obiedo placed third with her time of 16:57.

Apart from the complaint on a disorganized start and routes that were short by about 200 meters (based on Garmin GPS data), the race was rated good by many runners who talked to CebuRunning. The starting line was crowded and some walkers registered in the shorter distances blocked the way of runners who were at their correct places behind the starting line. The starting gun was also fired only after the runners had started moving. But overall, runners told CebuRunning that they enjoyed the race.

There was ample water (although there were some complaints of cups running out) and even food at the finish line. The organizers also raffled off several items, including pairs of shoes, to the delight of the runners, many of whom stayed even for the awarding.
Results

5K OPEN (MEN)
1.) Jorry Ycong 16:41
2.) Jobert Carolino 16:49
3.) Micheal Estrera 16:55
4.) Miljone Luterte 17:24
5.) Harold Estrada 17:37
6.) Marlon Furagganan 17:41
7.) Ian Refuela 17:47
8.) Roland Batiancila 18:09
9.) Jefferson Antipuesto 19:59
10.) Roberto Daquey 22:48

5K OPEN (WOMEN)
1.) Aiza Suay Baguio 21:03
2.) Emily Rosas 24:04
3.) Kresha Mae Ygot 24:59
4.) Naoko Idio 25:25
5.) Lorilyn Abucay 26:09
6.) Tricia Mae Lapasaran 26:23
7.) Irene Mangubat 27:05
8.) Nora Villamor 27:20
9.) Mizraym Capangpangan 28:29
10.) Virginia Parajenog 29:11

5K (CALL CENTER AGENT)
1.) Paul James Zafico 18:30
2.) Arthur Saveron 22:04
3.) Kristiane Lim 23:23
4.) Jeffrey Oliva 23:28
5.) Linno Carlo Galindo 23:33
6.) Roy Sison 25:40
7.) Mitchelle Jala 25:50
8.) Osias Manlucob 27:43
9.) Edd Ryan Dayuha 27:47
10.) Tricia Marie Dingcong 28:52

10K OPEN (MEN)
1.) Riez Enriquez 33:29
2.) Elmer Bartolo 33:29
3.) Ian Bernido 34:18
4.) Eugene Delposo 34:40
5.) Alvirg Busa 34:54
6.) Heronesio Padilla 37:30
7.) Abello Go 38:52
8.) Garry Garcia 40:02
9.) Demetrio Rosales 41:16
10.) Junjun Pabatang 41:19

10K OPEN (WOMEN)
1.) Merlyn Alin 44:13
2.) Meresis Ramires 45:14
3.) Gerly Rose Baylon 45:35
4.) Pearl Beronia 47:51
5.) Emeralde Hermosilla 52:43
6.) Runner no. 867 57:11
7.) Jenevieve Torregosa 1:00:41
8.) Regie Real 01:02:53
9.) Visminda Truya 01:06:53
10.) Runner no. 903 01:07:08

10K ( MEDIA )
1.) Bayani Alvarez (ABS-CBN) 41:19
2.) Jurlito Montecillo (Wild FM) 47:50
3.) Gabby Lariosa (Cebu Daily News) 48:01
4.) Joefrey Quinones (dyRF) 52:12
5.) Juvey Veloso (Sun.Star Cebu) 52:36
6.) Max Limpag (Sun.Star Cebu) 53:24
7.) Ernesto Cabunag (Sun.Star Cebu) 53:36
8.) William Rama (Sun.Star Cebu) 56:41
9.) Allain Glenn Cortes (Sun.Star Cebu) 1:03:53
10.) Daido Stephen Abcede (Sun.Star Cebu) 1:05:53

16K (MEN)
1.) Simon Losiaboi 53:36
2.) Mendel Lopez 55:00
3.) Adonis Singson 55:20
4.) John Philip Duenas 57:48
5.) Moh Sherwin Managil 1:01:43
6.) Wilfredo Librinca, Jr. 1:02:31
7.) Roger Saldo 1:06:44
8.) Renzie Gabuya 1:07:32
9.) Raymart Montecalvo 1:08:16
10.) Ralph Arche 1:08:55

16K (WOMEN)
1.) Mary Grace delos Santos 1:01:42
2.) Mary Joy Tabal 1:11:37
3.) Lorhiz Echavez 1:20:37
4.) Melinda Ponce 1:25:54
5.) Mary Ann Benedicto 1:29:39
6.) Rachel Limtong 1:38:16
7.) Ritchelle Valdez 1:39:40
8.) Marina Lipardo 1:40:14
9.) Carmel Angel Suico 1:40:34
10.) Maria Glen Pontanar 1:42:05

Losiaboi finished the 12K route in a blistering 00:39:15.01. Jobert Carolino finished second a full minute later, clocking 00:40:39.50. Veteran runner Reprinel Banzon completed the top three by finishing third with a time of 00:40:48.58.

DOMINANT. Mary Grace delos Santos sprints with trainer Mosherwin Managil to win the women’s 12K category in the Citygym Citirun held in Waterfront Hotel Cebu City early today. CLICK ON PHOTO TO VIEW LARGER IMAGE (Photo by Max Limpag)

Completing the men’s 12K top 10 are 4th John Philip Duenas (00:41:23.49); 5th Riez Enriquez (00:42:09.84); 6th Paul James Zafico (00:43:52.95); 7th Noel Tillor (00:43:55.39); 8th Alvirg Busa (00:44:39.52); 9th Roger Saldo (00:46:25.97); and 10th Renvie Gabuya (0:48:11:117).

Losiaboi just came from two successive defeats Mendel Lopez.

In the women’s 12K, delos Santos finished first with a time of 00:45:37.17. Madelyn Carter was second with a time of 00:49:27.63 while Joeyry Lee finished third by clocking in 00:52:56.95.

Completing the women’s 12K top 10 are 4th Peris Poywo (00:56:32.86); 5th Girlie Rose Baylon (00:58:37.63); 6th Emily Rosas (01:00:13.73); 7th Amale Jopson (01:00:47.91); 8th Ma. Milagros Tanudtanud (01:01:55.47); 9th Michelle Discaya (01:01:59.82); and Florence Mata (01:04:56.19).

Among Citygym clients, Dr. Reynald Ramiro placed first with a time of 01:10:21.36; Milvic Chua was second by clocking in 01:10:57.00 while Michael Paquibot was third with a time of 01:11:35.38.

6K category

Joel Delposo, meanwhile, dominated the men’s 6K category with his 00:21:02.270 time. Roland Montebon was second at 00:21:22.950 while veteran Ruth Banzon placed third by clocking in 00:24:25.120.

Completing the top 10 are 4th Fernando Berbesada (00:25;12.36); 5th Lino Galindo (00:27:01.090); 6th Vinson Mahawan (00:27:11.980); 7th Errold Alipio (00:27:25.610); 8th Florencio Herminio (00:27:40.470); 9th Jose Luis Tiongko (00:29:19.140); and 10th Diomedes Seque (00:30:11.850).

In the women’s category, Mary Joy Tabal topped the 6K race with a time of 00:24:18.130. Aiza Suaybaguio was second with her time of 00:26:21.060 while Marlyn Alin was third with her time of 00:27:33.830.

Completing the 10 best times are 4th Haziel Retavale (00:29:08.960); 5th Gretchen Niere (00:32:12.210); 6th Mary Aimee Aranaydo (00:32:59.350); 7th Lorelie Abella (00:33:09.560); 8th Ma. Lirio Omolon (00:33:38.680); 9th Emeralde Hermocilla (00:34:28.690); and 10th Corrine Nillas (00:34:52.200).

Among its clients, Joe France Cañizares topped the 6K race with his time of 00:32:59.890; Karen Gonzales was second with her time of 00:33:03.130 while Francisco Gomos Jr. was third with his time of 00:36:39.270.

Among Citigym employees, Chadwick Mabanta finished first in the 6K race with a time of 00:35:06.470, Daniel Carino was third with a time of 00:35:59.850 while Arnulfo Abatayo was third with a time of 00:37:41.260.

Robert Daan topped the male 4K race with a time of 00:14:50.55. Jerry Laroya was second at 00:16:12.79 while Gabby Lariosa was third with a time of 00:19:27.84.

In the women’s 4K, Mizraym Capangpangan finished first in 00:26:30.60. Ana Moldes was second with her time of 00:26:45.71 while Jade Garzoa was third with a time of 00:26:56.21.

To view photographs we took of the race, be a fan of the CebuRunning page in Facebook. We uploaded close to 200 photos there.

Yong and Donna finished the 10K race together in 54 minutes and 11 seconds to top a field of about a dozen couples who joined the run. The Escasinas couple finished second with a time of 57:28. Noy and Amale Jopson were third with a time of 58:06.

Yong said it was the “best birthday gift” for Donna, who celebrates her birthday today, Valentine’s Day.

Those who joined the couples run were required to be no more than 5 meters of each other throughout the race and finish it holding hands.

There were no surprises in the other categories of the race.

Kenyan Simon Losiaboi finished his 10K run in 32:23 to claim first place. Elmer Bartolo finished second with a time of 33:41 while Ian Bernido was third with a time of 33:56.

In the women’s division, top runner Mary Grace delos Santos did not let a medical layoff get in the way by topping her division with a 10K run of 39:59. Mary Joy Tabal finished second with a time of 40:43 while Marlyn Alin finished third with a time of 40:43.

In the 5K race, Roland Batiancila topped the men’s division with a time of 17:30; Jobert Carolino was second with his time of 17:34, while Rolan Onrada finished third at 17:48. Rose Angele Amores topped the women’s division with her time of 22:92; Lennie Caduada was second at 26:47; while Diodel Moralla was third with her time of 27:23.

Ramon Carsido topped the 3K men’s division with a time of 13:49. Rafael Tan finished in second place with his time of 17:39 while Euegene Esteban was third with a time of 17:40. Mizraim Capangpangan, meanwhile, topped the women’s 3K division with her time of 19:16; Camille Flor and Cecilia May Uy were listed as being second and third, respectively, with identical times of 19:52.

Although relatively well-run, yesterday’s race had some complaints of lack of water in some stations and a shorter than advertised 10K distance. My GPS reading indicated the route distance to be 9.87KM.

The run will also have a 200-meter sprint for 7-year-olds and below and 400-meter race for 8-year-olds to 12-year-olds. The races for children will be held inside the SM City Cebu compound.

The Rotary Run will start and end at the old v-hire terminal near the Northwing of SM City Cebu. (Interactive map found at the end of this article)

ROTARY RUN. Rotary PR Chair Lilu Aliño answers a reporter’s question during the press briefing for the 2nd Rotary Run. Among those who attended this afternoon’s press conference are (from right) Jet Neric, Me’Anne Alcordo and Rotary Run chair Kenneth Casquejo. The run is directed by Raffy Uytiepo (extreme left).

“On top of promoting Rotary and a healthy lifestyle, joining the race is an opportunity to contribute to the End Polio Now, a program of the Rotary Foundation to eradicate polio worldwide,” said race co-organizer Kenneth Casquejo.

“Running is a good way and a very cheap way to be healthy,” said Casquejo.

Co-organizer Jet Neric said that apart from promoting a healthy lifestyle, running also encourages family bonding. He said organizers hope Rotarians “will develop a running lifestyle.”

Casquejo said the 1st placer in the men’s and women’s categories of the 15K race will get P8,000, 2nd placers will get P5,000 and 3rd placers will get P3,000. The 4th to 6th placers will get P500 and the 7th to 10th placers will get P300. All the winners will get medals.

In the 7K race, the 1st placers will get P5,000; 2nd placers will het P3,000; and 3rd placers will get P2,000.

The registration fee for the race is P150, which is inclusive of a race singlet, race bib and a Jollibee snack. The registration center is at the Philippine Sports Commission office in the Cebu City Sports Center. Casquejo said registration will no longer be allowed on race day.

The top-seeds for the run are Mary Grace delos Santos, the top female runner in Cebu, and Kenyan Simon Losiaboi.

ROTARIANS, TOP RUNNERS. Top runners based in Cebu pose with Rotary officials during the launch of the Rotary Run. Among the top runners who attended yesterday are (back row, starting 3rd from left) Kenyan Simon Losiaboi, elite triathlete Noy Jopson, tope female runner Mary Grace delos Santos and her trainer, Sherwin Managil.

Race director Raffy Uytiepo said that although some runners have complained against Losiaboi, the “presence of top runners also make you fast.”

“If you want to win or to beat me, just train hard,” Losiaboi said yesterday. He told the press conference that he doesn’t do anything special and that he trains hard with local runners. He said he is thankful with the warm welcome of Cebuanos.

Asia Brewery Inc., one of the sponsors of the race, pledged ample water supply and said 100 Plus isotonic sports drink will be distributed in the finish line.

Casquejo said they have coordinated with the Cebu City Traffic Operations Management (Citom) to make the race route secure for runners. He said they will be fielding enough marshals to help secure the routes.

Since the race is in February, organizers said they will be giving awards to the top running couple. They said the couple need not be married and they only need to finish together. They said they will not discriminate and same-sex couples are welcome to join the couples’ race.

Uytiepo also said pacers and bikers will not be allowed on the race route. He said the Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation will be providing medical support for runners.

Below is an interactive virtual map of the race route based on data given by the organizers.

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

The Zamboanga City native lay sprawled and bloodied on one of the roads of Cagayan de Oro City after a motorcycle, sent flying by a rampaging truck, hit her.

“I don’t know how long I lay there,” delos Santos said, her expression still pained while recalling the point of impact a year later on the tracks of the Cebu City Sports Center, “I blacked out.”

IRON WOMAN. Mary Grace delos Santos, her face bloodied after getting hit by a motorcycle in a road accident, finishes first in the women’s 21K race in the Mindanao eliminations of the Milo Marathon in 2008. CLICK ON PHOTO TO ENLARGE. ( PHOTO FROM SUN.STAR CAGAYAN DE ORO)

She also does not know whether she was between the wheels of the truck or beside them when the vehicle continued to run after the accident.

What she recalls, however, is her fierce determination to finish the race that she was already leading. She got on her feet and started checking her body gingerly for injuries before breaking into a run.

“People were telling me to pull out of the race,” delos Santos said in Bisaya, “but I wanted to continue. I wanted to finish the race. I was determined to finish the race.”

Delos Santos, instead, asked the race official who was telling her withdraw to just tail her on a motorcycle as she dashed to the finish line.

When she touched the back of her head, delos Santos found blood in her hand. That wound would later require five stitches to close.

“I told myself, I’m going to die. I’m going to die. But I have to win the race first,” she said with a soft laugh.

Minutes later, delos Santos finished in first place, way ahead of the others. She would probably have been first even if doctors had attended to her and did a quick stitch to close that wound right on the spot where she met the accident.

The expression on her face as she crossed the finish line is a cross between relief and trepidation. Delos Santos was sure she would die. She would later be vomiting repeatedly in the hours after the race, her trainer Mohsherwin Managil said.

Not only did delos Santos survive the accident that killed the driver of the motorcycle that hit her, she went on to finish a full marathon—all 42.195 kilometers of it—three weeks later.

On any given Sunday in Cebu, delos Santos would be on the winner’s podium claiming yet another medal or trophy and an envelope containing cash for winning yet another road case.

Delos Santos has thoroughly dominated Cebu running that she has won all the races she joined here—all first place finishes.

But when she was first here on the eve of the Run to the Max race in October 2008, delos Santos had nothing but hope, a pair of shoes and enough money to buy apples for dinner.

She won that race.

CEBU’S TOP RUNNER. Mary Grace delos Santos has won all the races she has joined in Cebu. CLICK ON PHOTO TO ENLARGE. (PHOTO BY MARLEN LIMPAG)

Part of the money she won she used to pay for the loan she got to pay for her fare to Cebu. The rest she gave to her parents and spent for incidental expenses.

With no regular races in Zamboanga, delos Santos decided to transfer to Cebu with Managil.

Managil is a fast runner and has won races here. But he stopped racing to concentrate on training delos Santos and a group of newbie runners. During races, Managil also paces delos Santos, who still fears being hit by vehicles on the road.

The 22-year-old delos Santos said she loves running so much that she plans on doing nothing but race until she is 30.

To delos Santos, running is a living.

Her race winnings pay for the apartment where she lives in, her food and the equipment of her trade—her shoes. She is also supported by running brothers JR and Rovie Aguilon. Managil said he makes sure that they budget part of her winnings to buy a pair of shoes.

Shorn of everything, delos Santos can always make money with her pair of shoes.

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.