Out-of-towners favorites in Araw Phoenix Marathon

VISITING runners Arnold Unabia of Tangub and Mary Joy Tabal of Cebu City are heavy favorites to win titles in the 2nd Araw ng Dabaw Phoenix Marathon set on March 10 from SM Lanang Premier to SM City Davao.

Race director Kenneth Sai of Vantage Sports Promotions said Unabia is set to defend his men's 42-kilometer (42K) crown while Tabal may pull off a victory in her category, the women's 21K or women's 42K.

Sai said Davao City will be relying on Brokenshire College standouts Anthony Nerza and Cynthia Jaro in 42K.

He, however, said 2012 21K men's champion Nerza will have to really come prepared should he want to upset Unabia for the 42K champion's purse of P40,000.

"Nerza just competed in a handful of runs including the national Prisaa. It may go to his advantage or disadvantage. It wouldn't do well for him if he is over-trained," he said during the Davao Sportswriters Association (DSA) Forum at the Tower Inn yesterday.

Runners from Luzon, Visayas and other parts of Mindanao including Iligan, Camiguin, Tagum, General Santos, Kidapawan, Cotabato, Davao del Sur, Davao del Norte and Davao City are also expected to compete in the male and female 3K, 5K, 10K, 21K and 42K categories.

Registration is going on at SM Lanang Premier, SM City Davao, Phoenix Lanang and Phoenix Acacia. Fees are P199 (3K, 5K) inclusive of singlet and certificate, P399 (10K) inclusive of singlet and certificate, P599 (21K) inclusive of singlet, medal, certificate and P799 (42K) inclusive of singlet, medal, finisher's shirt and certificate. (MLSA)