Wednesday, June 25, 2008 Himamaylan runners all set for Milo marathon By Henry C. Villalva
IF THERE are runners participants in this Sunday's 32nd National Milo Marathon Bacolod leg are wary about, these are the young and promising never-say-die bunch of long distance running enthusiasts from Himamaylan City, mentored by Hernani Bolivar with former national Milo marathon champion Rodolfo Rizalde as trainer.
Led by arguably the top marathoner in the province today, Eric Panique, and having figured prominently in majority of the province's various marathon events during the year, the Himamaylan City runners are no doubt a force to reckon with this Sunday when the Milo Marathon Bacolod elimination leg reels off at 6AM in front of the provincial Capitol lagoon.
But the Himamaylan contingent will not be having its top gun in 2006 National Milo Marathon titlist Julius Sermona, who left early this week with a five-man RP delegation to see action in the 2008 Asian Athletics Grand Prix.
Still, Himamaylan runners feel they are up to the challenge with the likes of Panique, Anthony Babiera, Raden Vergara, Rommel and Roel Hulleza as well as female bet Allyn Grace Salas.
But Rizalde does not want his wards to be too confident.
"This is running and for all you know, there are runners out there who are really gifted who will spring some surprises so I told my runners to train hard and avoid tiresome activities in preparation for Sunday's run," he told Sun.Star Bacolod Monday.
Rizalde pointed out one thing going for the Himamaylan team is that they have the all-out support of their local government, led by Mayor Carminia Bascon and their team manager Himamaylan City, first gentleman Oscar 'Dodong' Bascon.
"If all the runners are more or less equally talented, the LGU support will make a lot of difference," Rizalde added.
Interested participants to Sunday's run may still register until June 28, 5PM, at the University of St. La Salle varsity sports office, said race coordinator Efren Timtiman.
To register, runners have to submit an empty pack of Milo (300 grams) on top of the registration fee of P30 for the 3K event; P50 for the 5K and P100 for those competing in the centerpiece 21K event.
Side events are the biggest school delegation competition, the inter-school running team contest and the cheer dance competition.
Sunday's run is being supported by the Negros Occidental Track and Field Association (NOTAFA) headed by Roger Banzuela.
