Tools for runners
By Haide AcunaIn 2010, I stumbled upon the Smart Coach Program of Runnersworld.com.
In 2010, I stumbled upon the Smart Coach Program of Runnersworld.com.
There’s something about seeing Mary Grace Delos Santos hoist the Marathon Queen trophy at the National Finals of the 36th Milo Marathon that brings tears to your eyes. Especially if you’re one of those who have seen her work harder than most while training in Cebu trying to get a spot in the national team while fending off critics naysayers when she’s not on the road.
Two Saturday afternoons ago, I had the privilege of being part of the Inquirer Read-Along series with elementary-school children Cabancalan I Elementary School and Small Wonders Academic Center at the Banilad Town Center.
For the second straight year, Cebu ’s ultramarathon standout Noel Tillor topped the Warrior 50K Ultramarathon held last Saturday, Sept. 29 at Be Resorts in Mactan.
I wonder what’s taking the Cebu Executive Runners Club too long to officially announce the call for runners to the 2013 Cebu City Marathon.
After skipping all the road races since April, I will hit the road once again and run my first 1-kilometer race ever at Maternity Run 2012 on Sept. 29, 2012.
Since ultramarathons came to Cebu in 2010, the sport has attracted a cult following among runners – whether fast or slow – who seek opportunities to test the limits of endurance. It also gave new opportunities for local long distance runners to shine such as the 27-year old mechanic Noel Tillor.
Local ultrarunning champion Noel Tillor and Cebu’s road running queen Mary Grace delos Santos topped the first “I Shall Return 50K Ultramarathon” in Tacloban, Leyte over the weekend.
I’ve always thought that the way legendary ultramarathoner Micah True a.k.a. Caballo Blanco of the bestseller book “Born to Run” bid farewell to this world last May was the best way any hardcore runner should go. He went out for his last run in the trails of New Mexico and never came back. He was found dead, still in his running clothes, four days later. He died of a heart attack doing what he loved most.
Arland Macasieb, the 2011 Filipino elite category winner of the Cobra Ironman 70.3 was right when he said Mendel Lopez was the man to watch in this year’s field of Filipino triathlon elites.
For the first time ever in the history of the Olympics, each of the 205 nations participating in the 2012 Summer Games have at least one woman athlete in its team.
Ultramarathons anywhere in the world are one of the simplest most down to earth races. Organizers seldom give cash prizes, and hardcore ultrarunners, including the winners, do not expect cash prizes in return for their Herculean efforts.
Marathon Foodie’s article on why the banning and/ or exclusion of foreign runners, particularly the Kenyans, from the local road races in Cebu generated so much response from Cebu’s running company. Some agree with the article, other don’t but I’m happy to report that both sides of the argument are both fierce and passionate.
