CEBUANO runners from all walks of life will try their luck in the 33rd Milo National Marathon Cebu Leg.

A total of 19,943 runners, just 57 short of their target of 20,000, will run to accomplish their objectives—be it as a requirement of their schools, conquer their limits or to qualify for the national race.

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The Cebu leg, which is still the biggest in the country in terms of participation, will be held simultaneously with the Manila leg.

Runners who want to qualify for the national 42K race must finish today’s 21K event at less than one hour and 15 minutes for the men’s division and one hour and 35 minutes for the women’s category.

Local organizer Ricky Ballesteros expects Joel Delposo and Mendel Lopez to qualify to the national race from the men’s side and is eyeing Leizsl Lumindas-Gitaruelas and Madelyn Carter in the women’s side.

However, Cagayan de Oro City runners also pose a strong threat for the Cebuano runners this morning.

Senator Pia Cayetano, who is also a running buff, is also expected to make it to the top five in the women’s 21K.

Cayetano made it to the top five in 2007.

“Everything is green and go. Tomorrow (today) is the biggest day and I hope everything will go smoothly,” Ballesteros told Sun.Star Cebu.

Aside from the race, the Cebu leg will also have contests for the biggest delegation, and cheer dance as well as the inter-school event.

Ballesteros will give a route briefing, while Cebu City consultant for education Joy Young will fire the starting gun.