DOC MITTY. Humility Igaña won last Sunday’s medical women’s category in the 5th University Run. CLICK ON PHOTO TO ENLARGE. (PHOTO BY RAMIE IGAÑA)

Bontol set a new personal record in topping the 10K Medical Men’s category, finishing the race in 42:38. At 2nd place was Dr. Harem Dieparine with a time of 45:30 while Dr. Mark Anthony Longinas finished 3rd with a time of 49:43. Rounding up the top 10 are: 4th Jo Banjo (50:47); 5th Renald Ramiro (58:24); 6th Ryan Jubal (1:02:33); 7th Andrei Yu (1:02:22); 8th Questor Nodalo (1:05:04); 9th Philip Larrazabal (1:06:21); and 10th Paul Go (1:11:17).

Igaña, meanwhile, topped the field of women doctors by finishing her 10K race in 1:01:31. Roslyn Yu was 2nd with a time of 1:02:23; Loy Tan was 3rd with a time of 1:06:20, Catherine Ti was 4th with a time of 1:07:27, while Ma. Victoria Larrazabal was 5th with a time of 1:13:10.

The Men’s 10K was dominated, as expected, by Kenyan Simon Losiaboi who breezed through the route in 32:16. He was followed by Arnold Unabia at 2nd place who finished in 33:13 and Alvirg Busa at 3rd who finished in 33:56.

In the Women’s 10K, Madelyn Carter topped the race by finishing the distance in 39:45. Jojielyn Pepito was 2nd with a time of 40:33 while Aiza Suaybaguio was 3rd with a time of 42:01. Rounding up the top 10 are 4th Lohriz Echavez (43:01); 5th Rosas Emily (49:39); 6th Melinda Ponce (50:48); 7th Angel Olis (50:56); 8th Donna Cruz (50:07); 9th Jane Ong (51:26) and 10th Florence Mata (51:29).

Veteran Reprinel Banzon, meanwhile, topped the 5K men’s category while Jolly Maxilom topped the women’s 5K. Charlie Berberio topped the 5K men employees’ category while Tessa Gabrillo topped the women employee’s category.

Lugz Lim topped the 5K alumni men while ungo runner Ryan Gonzaga was 2nd with a time of 21:01. Jane Sia topped the 5K alumni women.

The Ungo Runners, meanwhile was named the winner of the first inter-running club dance competition. The Ungo Runners bested the Run Belly Run group of running and belly-dancing enthusiasts.

According to many runners who talked to CebuRunning, the 5th University Run was a well-organized fun Sunday race that attracted more than 3,500 runners, which is a lot more than those who joined the wrongly-named Philippine International “Marathon” held simultaneously with it. The only major complaint was the crowding by student walkers of the closed road.

Organizer Dr. Yong Larrazabal has apologized for it and said many of the walkers and students ignored their designated lanes, blocking the way of runners out to set personal bests. Yong said that after the race, he immediately consulted with race director Joel Baring and they decided that in the next race, they would designate a different route for walkers and students.

Yong also said that they encountered problems with water because the 5-gallon bottles delivered to the site were fully frozen instead of just half frozen. Because of that, they encountered distributing water in water stations. But the Gatorade station was able to serve cold energy drinks to all the runners event until the close of the race.

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.

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.

Some finishers questioned the result reported by the race’s technical staff. The confusion got to a point that a man was named a top 10 finisher in one of the women’s categories.

Race director Joe Deresas blamed yesterday’s snafu on last minute adjustments and changes by registered runners on their race distances.

CLICK TO ENLARGE. Media category winners (from left) Allain Cortes of Sun.Star Cebu (3rd), Ronald Banugon of Bombo Radyo-Cebu (1st), and Max Limpag of Sun.Star Cebu and CebuRunning (2nd). (PHOTO BY SUN.STAR CEBU’S ARNI ACLAO)

The announcing of winners got so drawn-out that even if people were already leaving, winners of some categories were still not determined. The winners of the special categories for media and the Cebu Association of Tour Operators (Cato) took so long to determine because of the chaos in the technical staff’s booth. The Cato winners, in fact, were no longer named, only the numbers were read and very few winners approached the stage to claim the prizes.

The chaos in yesterday’s race was a sharp contrast to the highly efficient and professional way Barangay Lahug’s Running MAD 2 race was managed. I think Running MAD 2 is among the best races of the year. In that race, the top finishers were told of their ranking as soon as they reached the finish line. Organizers, led by Tinago Barangay Councilor Joel Garganera, Lahug Barangay Captain Mary Ann delos Santos and Raffy Uytiepo, immediately awarded prizes as soon as the top 10 runners of a certain category was finished.

As expected yesterday, Kenyan missionary Simon Losiaboi extended his dominance of Cebu City races with another win in the 10K division. Losiaboi blazed through the route that started at the Asiatown IT Park and followed Gov. M Cuenco Ave. until the intersection on ML Quezon Ave. in Cabancalan in just 29 minutes and 53 seconds.

Mendel Lopez placed second to Losiaboi with a time of 30:16. Erstwhile top male runner Elmer Bartolo settled for third with a time of 31:56. Among the top 10 male finishers was trainer Mosherwin Managil, who finished 6th in his first competitive race. In previous races, Managil usually serves as pacer for the runners that he trains, including Cebu City’s top woman runner, Mary Grace de los Santos.

De los Santos again topped the women’s 10K event, finishing the race in 36:35. Madelyn Carter was again in second place, finishing the route in 38:00. Aiza Diola placed third. Among the top 10 women finishers were Anna Neric (9th) and Florence Mata (10th).

Joel Delposo topped the men’s 5K event while Joy Tabal topped the women’s 5K.

In the men’s media division, Ronald Banugon of Bombo Radyo-Cebu finished first, I was second while my colleague Allain Cortes was third. The other winners were (4th) Raffy Osumo, The Freeman; (5th) William Rama, Sun.Star Cebu; (6th) Rico Navarro, The Freeman; (7th) Rene Martel, Sun.Star Cebu; (8th) Francis June Ygot, Sun.Star Network Exchange.

The women’s media division, on the other hand, was an unmitigated disaster.

Not only did the organizers fail to rank the finishers, they never even had records of their participation. The emcee had to call the women media runners to the stage and by then, only two had stayed behind. The emcee then asked the runners, to widespread laughter, “kinsa may na-una ug human ninyo?” (Who finished first?).

Sun.Star Network Exchange managing editor and CebuRunning contributor Marlen Limpag topped the women’s media category while Sun.Star Cebu central newsroom library assistant Hanz Llerin finished second. The other winners were no longer named nor awarded. Marlen, in fact, had to ask for her medal because the emcee did not award it to them.

The screwup was unfortunate because the run held a lot of promise. The registration fee wasn’t that expensive at just P180, inclusive of a singlet, which was actually of good quality—one of the best race singlets given to runners this year. The medals they gave the winners were also of very good quality.

The water stations also had ample supply (at least in my experience—but then again, the media category was only 5K). The run was also well-attended with about 1,500 people joining it of the 2,000 or so who registered. That was a very good number considering there was another run held at the same time.

What really distinguished yesterday’s run was the number of raffle prizes offered to runners—certificates for overnight stays in Cebu’s top resorts and hotels as well as round trip tickets to domestic and international destinations. No other fun run this year can compare to the prizes offered yesterday.

But all those things were for naught because of two fatal failings—the chaos in the naming of winners and the shorter-than-announced route distances.

CLICK TO ENLARGE. Sun.Star Cebu runners with John Pages (standing, left), Simon Losiaboi, and Joel Garganera (standing, 4th from left). (PHOTO BY SUN.STAR CEBU’S ARNI ACLAO)

The 5K and 10K races were short by at least half-a-kilometer based on Garmin GPS data. This isn’t nitpicking. Having correct distances for your race routes is very important because most runners use it to check whether they have gone faster. Most runners do not use a GPS device to check distances and just assume that the organizers got the distance right. Many, I’m sure, thought they went faster yesterday because they did not know that the route was shorter.

With the tools available to plot race routes, like Google Maps, which we wrote about earlier, there’s no excuse to get the distances wrong.

Yesterday’s fun run held promise but ended as among this year’s worse. Only the great fun, good quality singlets, and great company saved it from being a total disaster.

Losiaboi finished in a blistering time of 41:05:50 the course that started at University of the Philippines Cebu College and went past JY Square, Waterfront Cebu City Hotel, Gaisano Country Mall and BTC in Banilad, General Maxilom Ave., Fuente, Capitol and back to UP Cebu. Losiaboi won P3,000 for his top finish. (For an interactive map of the route, read our previous article)

Medel Lopez finished second with a time of 43:01:60 while Revodem Aranas placed third by clocking 43:11:63. The other top ten placers are (4th) Bonifacio Monnas, with a time of 43:23:80; (5th) Adonis Singson, 46:01:72; (6th) Paul James Zafico, 48:37:10; (7th) Dandy Maturan, 48:53:49; (8th) Leo Abello, 49:21:38; (9th) Heronesio Padilla, 50:10:33; and (10th) Aubrey Ariola, 50:49:22.

WOMEN’S 12K WINNERS. The top 10 finishers of Lahug Running MAD 2 women’s 12K with Lahug Barangay Captain Mary Ann delos Santos (center) and race organizer Rafffy Uytiepo (right). Among the top finishers are Sun.Star Network Exchange editor and CebuRunning blogger Marlen Limpag (2nd from left), Anna Maria Neric (4th from left), top Cebu runner Mary Grace delos Santos (5th from right), Madelyn Carter (4th from right), and 3rd placer Mary Joy Tabal (3rd from right). CLICK TO ENLARGE.

There were no surprises in the women’s 12K race. Cebu City’s dominant female runner Mary Grace delos Santos again finished on top with a time of 50:40:22. Madelyn Carter was again in second place with her time of 52:32:40 while Mary Joy Tabal placed third, again, in 52:57:94.

The other top 10 winners in women’s 12K are (4th) Gerly Rose Baylon, 1:06:79; (5th) Leonora Martus, 1:06:34; (6th) Anna Maria Neric, 1:09:50; (7th) Bettina Veloso, 1:13:07; (8th) Ma. Glen Pontanar, 1:18:54; (9th) CebuRunning blogger and Sun.Star Network Exchange managing editor Marlen Limpag, 1:23:45; and (10th) Vivien Biagan, 1:23:47.

In the men’s 6K race, Joel Delposo finished first with a time of 20:09:12. Jess Gonzaga was second at 20:14:23 while Eugene Delposo finished third with a time of 21:02:28. The other top finishers are (4th) Jorry Ycong, 21:30:14; (5th) Robert Daang, 21:36:79; (6th) Alviro Busa, 22:08:36; (7th) Roland Montebon, 22:13:51; (8th) Rolan Batiancila, 22:32: 83; (9th) Michael Estrera, 22:36:78.

WOMEN’S 6K WINNERS. Lahug Barangay Captain Mary Ann delos Santos (left) and race organizer Raffy Uytiep (right) flank the winners of the women’s 6K race (from left) Lorna Olarita (5th), Haziel Retavale (4th), Aiza Suaybaguio (1st), Haidar Sisbreno (10th), Crezil Diongson (2nd), Clarisse Diongson (3rd), May Contemplo (6th), Bea Katrina Maximo (7th), Ma. Katrina Acar (8th), and Jocelyn Abella (9th). CLICK TO ENLARGE. (PHOTO BY JONATHAN MAXIMO)

In the women’s 6K, Aiza Suaybaguio finished first with a time of 26:18:61. Crezil Diongson finished second, 27:35:59 while Clarisse Diongson got third place with her time of 27:55:80. The other top 10 finishers are (4th) Haziel Retavale, 28:11:44; (5th) Lorna Olarita, 28:36:68; (6th) May Contemplo, 30:53:11; (7th) Bea Katrina Maximo, 32:04:50; (8th) Ma. Katrina Acar, 32:57:53; (9th) Jocelyn Abella, 32:59:55; and (10th) Haidar Sisbreno, 33:30:79.

At least 1,000 runners signed up for the successful second staging of Running MAD. The running event was organized by Lahug Barangay Captain Mary Ann de los Santos, who is herself a runner and is scheduled to run the half-marathon in the Cebu City Marathon on Jan. 10.