Madalang gears up for Guam race

TRAINING shifts to high gear for Modesto Madalang, Baguio's to long distance runner as he is set to compete in the tough Koko Road Race in Guam in October.

Madalang, who took the NorthFace 100 ultramarathon race last April will represent the country for the annual Guam footrace together with Bukidnon native Helen Tacling who also won the contest in the distaff side.

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Madalang edged fellow Baguio long distance runner Joel Bengtay and entered the time of 12 hours, 40 minutes and 24 seconds to win the top price worth P30,000 cash and P10,000 worth of gift checks including a trophy.

Hard training and self discipline will be Madalang's main weapons when he travels to Guam for the 21 kilometer short foot race.

"Work out, disiplina sa sarili tsaka road runs ang gagawin kong training at sana makukha tayo ng magandang puwesto pagdating sa race," said the soft spoken Madalang in an earlier interview.

Madalang was also among the top finishers in the Manila leg of the 34th National Milo Marathon recently where he was the top Filipino runner in the Male 42K division, finishing 3rd by clocking in at 02:46:53.

Kenyan Willy Tanui came in 2nd with a time of 02:44:42 while his compatriot Abraham Missos won 1st place after clocking in at 02:39:43. Missos was awarded the P50,000 top prize for his feat.

The inaugural Guam Ko'ko' Road Race was hosted by the Guam Visitors Bureau in 2006 as a 20K individual and 4-person Ekiden Relay, in an effort to garner increased interest in the island by international athletes but more importantly, to bring attention to the plight of Guam's territorial bird, the Guam Rail or ko'ko' bird.

Madalang will be competing in the half marathon event (21 kilometers) where he will be brought to Guam for free including hotel accommodations courtesy of Guam Visitor's Bureau.