APART from improving one’s stamina through months of training, a runner often has to go through other difficulties.
Champions Peonila Erlincito and Mary Joy Loberanis personified this as they conquered personal struggles to win the 5K division of 41st National Milo Marathon yesterday in the Cebu City Sports Center.
Erlincito, a 21-year-old HRM student from Dumaguete City, still couldn’t believe that he won the 5K despite holding the champion’s medal.
“I really didn’t know that I would win,” he said in Cebuano. Erlincito said. “Wala ko kabalo nga makadaug diay ko.” Erlincito attributed his win to his two months of training that comprised twice-a-day workouts followed by long runs the day after.
He had started running at eight but he had a hard time picking up his speed. Erlincito said that that became his inspiration and he challenged himself to prove that he, too, can be a champion.
On the other hand, the 5K women’s division winner is no stranger to hardships and winning and is even being touted to become the next running sensation, just like her namesake.
Making them proud
Mary Joy Loberanis collected her third straight crown after beating Cherry Andrin for the 5K title.
Loberanis sprinted to the finish line to dislodge Andrin from first place.
“My family is my inspiration, I always aim to make them proud, especially my father,” said the ninth grader of the University of San Carlos-Basic Education Department.
Loberanis has had a succesful run in the past three weeks. Before the Milo marathon, she also won three gold medals in the Batang Pinoy and helped USC to win the athletics crown in the Cebu City Olympics.
Triathletes Karen Manayon annd Moria Erediano took the third and fourth spots, while Charice Claire Encarnacion finished fifth.
In the men’s division, John Niño Nebral and James Midei finished at third and fourth places, respectively, while Harold Guiao took the fourth spot and Jemar Morales finished fifth.
In the 3K division, Antonet Velayo won the women’s crown over Belican Sofia Psamm and Charlotte Damulao, while Kent Lloyd Gabiño won the men’s title over Rhazelle Jude Salavia and Kirk Nanz Alison. (Tessa Frances T. Aguilar, USJR intern)