FRESH-GRADUATE Keenan Lou James Caburnay left Malaybalay, Bukidnon to pursue a dream a month ago. Yesterday he sent a message that a new contender is in town.
Caburnay quickly made an impact in Cebu’s running scene with a convincing win in the men’s 21-kilometer race of the 42nd Milo Marathon Cebu leg, which wrapped up at the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC) yesterday.
The lack of training facilities in his hometown brought the 24-year-old Caburnay to Cebu City armed with running skills and a degree in accounting technology.
The son of a security guard and a dry goods vendor got one step closer to his dream after breasting the tape in 1 hour, 13 minutes and 34 seconds, beating Joseph Arnel Emia (1:14:59) and Agustin Ychon Jr. (1:15:28.)
“In our place, it’s really about traditional training. You have the shoes and you are good to go. We don’t have athletes’ nutrition nor use of technology like Garmin,” Caburnay told SunStar Cebu. “It’s different here in Cebu. The runners have a scientific approach to training.”
The former stalwart athlete of San Isidro College said he used to train in the mountains and muddy terrains in Bukidnon. He said there’s no oval on his hometown.
Caburnay said that one advantage in training in Bukidnon is the high altitude. But when it comes to facilities, the place is far behind to Cebu, he said.
“I ran in the mountain areas. If it rains, it gets really muddy and it hinders the training,” said the eldest of three siblings.
Caburnay also has a younger brother plays football.
Caburnay is a member of the Spectrum Runners Club in Mindanao. The members in Cebu and running club president Gerry Mayo helped Caburnay’s relocation to Cebu.
Before arriving in Cebu, Caburnay was the 21K champion in the Milo Marathon Cagayan de Oro leg two years ago, and snagged the 10K title twice in 2015 and 2017.
Despite a good showing in Cebu, Caburnay was somehow unsatisfied with his time after failing to get the target of 1:10. He said that the course was challenging.
“I’m hoping to get an opportunity. My dream is to be part of the Armed Forces. Also, I’m planning to apply for a job, I’ll just finish this season,” said the 2017 Private Schools Athletic Association (Prisaa) gold medalist.
Another Cebu-based runner, Ruffa Sorongon of Lutayan, Sultan Kudarat, defended her women’s 21K title in dominating fashion. The 28-year-old Sorongon timed 1:30:18 and was more than 20 minutes ahead of the pack.
Kay Razel Cundagan finished at second place in 1:52:15. She was followed by Lucita Fernandez in 1:52:25.
“It means a lot winning back-to-back. My training was continuous for this race,” she said.
In the 10K category, Geniecel Saballa and Erzincto Peonila ruled the women’s and men’s divisions with times of 42:20 and 34:56, respectively. Cherry Andrin (42:54) and Velma Monsanto (44:40) trailed Saballa, while Ariel Saballa (35:09) and Benjamin Kipkazi Arusei (35:17) finished next to Peonila.
Karen Manayon (21:13) topped the women’s 5K over Marielle Estreba (21:20) and Mary Joy Loberanis (21:39). Ruel Algufera (18:02) ruled the men’s division over Rafael Lugay (1:18:15) and Robert Tosing (18:20).
Meanwhile, Nexxus Ezequiel (10:44) and Lourence Yvory Garcia (11:43) were the fastest in the men’s and women’s 3K. Karl David Rubi (11:05) and Tony Francis Cosgrave (11:06) finished at second and third place in the men’s class, while Jessel Ochia (12:11) and Stephanie Conde (12:25) completed the top three in the women’s class.
More than 18,000 participated the race which started in front of Cebu Normal University and ended at the CCSC.