PRINCE Joey Lee will return to the half-marathon distance as he looks to recapture the crown when the Cebu Marathon takes center stage on Jan. 12, 2020.
The many-time half-marathon champion will compete in the men’s 21K division in the 13th edition of Cebu Marathon, which starts and ends at the Cebu Business Park.
Lee, who reigned in the half-marathon distance for three consecutive editions from 2016 to 2018, will be back in the 21K race following a seventh place finish in the 42K race in the 2019 edition.
“My main focus for next year is the 21K. That’s why I’m starting the year with this distance in the Cebu Marathon,” the reigning Milo Marathon regional champion told SunStar Cebu.
He admits that the Kenyans are the toughest foes for local runners.
“My preparation is continuous despite the Christmas season since I’m also eyeing another race after the Cebu Marathon,” he said. “I hope to be in top shape for this race.”
Lee’s first two major competitions in the first quarter of 2020 will be the Cebu Marathon and the SM2SM Run.
The Cebu Executive Runners Club, the group behind the annual race, is aiming to gather more than 3,000 runners and running enthusiasts for the 2020 Cebu Marathon.
The race is back to its usual route which includes the South Road Properties. In the past two years, the event used a different course that covered the cities of Cebu, Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu. (RSC)