VETERAN runner Olive Firmeza of Davao City downplayed her title chances in the 2nd Davao International Marathon (DIM) that will hit the road in an out-and-back course from People’s Park today.
Firmeza, 44, said she’s been preparing for her second long race after competing in the Takbo Kababaihan 50K event last January 20.
“Akong routine, ga long run ko every weekend sa Diversion Road. Dili ko kasulti kung makuha nako ang titulo kay kusog gihapon tong taga Bukidnon (I do long run every weekend along Diversion Road. I can’t predict winning the title since the runner from Bukidnon is still strong),” Firmeza, who finished third in the DIM last year, said in an interview on the sidelines of the Taiwan Excellence press launch at Marco Polo Davao Friday.
Her best 42K record is three hours and 57 minutes. Firmeza said she would try to retain or surpassed it.
She added, “Maglisod ko pero paningkamutan nako makasulod gihapon sa top three (It would be difficult but I’ll do my best to still make it to the top three.”
The race, powered by Taiwan Excellence, stakes cash prizes courtesy of the city government of Davao through the Sports Development Division of the City Mayor’s Office (SDD-CMO).
The 42K male and female winners will claim cash prizes of P15,000, P10,000 and P8,000 while the first three male and female 21K finishers will take home P10,000, P8,000 and P5,000.
The top three male and female 10K runners, meanwhile, receive P6,000, P4,000 and P3,000 even as cash prizes of P4,000, P3,000 and P2,000 will be awarded to the first three winners of the male and female 5K categories.
Davao Ultrarunners Club is organizing the event.