Cebu set for grand race

CEBU finds two unlikely defenders when the starting gun breaks the silence early morning this Sunday to usher in the first-ever Cebu City Marathon.

On the other hand, Councilor Sylvan “Jack” Jakosalem advised early church goers to leave home early or wait until the 9:30 a.m. mass to avoid missing the mass as the streets will be filled with runners.

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Kenyan Simon Losiaboi and Zamboangueña Mary Grace de los Santos, usual winners of many running events in Cebu, are proud to defend their second home against the throng of title-hungry runners.

Losiaboi, who earlier signified to run the 21K race, will instead be running the full 42K.

De los Santos, on the other hand, trained relentlessly since placing second at the Milo National Marathon last October.

Announcement

A press conference was held at the Moon Café at The Terraces in Ayala Center-Cebu yesterday with Losiaboi, de los Santos and her trainer Sherwin Managuil, together with the organizing committee, lead by John Pages, Meyrick Jacalan and Cebu Executive Running Club president Jessie Taborada and Asap head Pearl Jacalan.

Oddly, Losiaboi who trained only for 21K, is confident that he could outpace the other runners including his compatriots and other highly-touted marathoners in the country.

The 27-year-old native of Rivly Valley in West Pokot, Kenya will see tough challenge from his compatriots Willy Tanui, David Kipsang and Kimber Keberes.

Two other Kenyans will race the 21K distance—Willy Rotich and Jonathan Cheboi.

“I did not know these other Kenyans because I’ve never seen them before. But I am confident that I can win this race.

I have trained for one month, together with Madelyn (Carter) and Mendel (Lopez). I trained for 21K, but I believe I have enough gas to win the 42K race,” said Losiaboi.

Aside from the Kenyans, Cebuano Roy Vence, Crenciano Sabal, Rene Desuyo, Rey Antoque, Crifrankreadel Indapan, along with other Cebu-based runners Elmer Bartolo, Angelito Sibayan and Mendel Lopez, are the most probable leading contenders of this race.

Challenge

De los Santos, on the other hand, will have to outrace the lone Kenyan lady Susan Chepkwony, along with Aileen Tolentino, Madelyn Carter, Ellen Tolentino and Cebuana Michelle Gilbuena.

Meanwhile, those who usually hear early masses are advised to get up really early to avoid being caught in traffic.

“Or they can wait until the 9:30 a.m. mass because traffic will be back to normal by then,” Jakosalem told Sun.Star-Cebu.

Traffic

Jakosalem identified the parishes to be affected most by the traffic rerouting: St. Therese in Lahug, Capitol Parish, Sto. Niño, Redemptorist Church (near Mango Ave.), Asilo de la Milagrosa and Carmelite Monastery.

Half of the roads of the marathon route will be closed to traffic from 4 to 9:30 a.m. while the entire south-bound road of the South Road Properties will be closed to traffic.

“Our utmost concern is the safety of the runners. And we have to ensure that this will be a successful event so that we can do it yearly,” added Jakosalem.

Last Monday, Jakosalem chaired the meeting with the Citom, the Cebu City Police Office and the organizers for the final review of the traffic and safety plans.

Field

There will be at least 200 Citom personnel and about 100 policemen deployed to ensure order and safety.

As of press time, 500 registered under the 42K race. These include veteran international marathon runner Potenciano “Yong” Larrazabal III.

Seven hundred fifty signed up for the 21K race, which includes singer-actress Donna Cruz-Larrazabal and 2,000 runners are joining the 5K run.