Sports Iloilo

I was back in Iloilo the other week to assist Prosports president Boyet Rentoy manage the ICCHS Centennial run that drew over 2000 runners. The race was a big success, what with the support of the alumni association that included singer Jose Marie Chan and Toyota Iloilo top gun Robert Uy. Another alumnos who was very excited was BDO fuente teller Kitty Tan, Kim Chiu looka-like. Well it was some sort of hitting many angry birds with one stone as Iloilo was teeming with several sporting activities. The day before the Centennial Run, the Ateneo De Iloilo held a 5K run Run along the Diversion Road. And on the same day it was the Paraw Regatta which was on its 40 years of existence. This year’s theme was “Sail The Best Winds”. The Paraw Regatta has been hailed as the best sports tourism event in the Philippines. This year, the festival featured beach volleyball, beach football, beach ultimate, (frisbee), jet skiing, fishing and dragon boat race. Some 100 paraws (sailboats) raced along the 35-kilometer Iloilo Strait. There are two categories in this prestigious race, class A for sailboats not more than 24 feet long and Class B for sailboats over 24 feet. Sometimes it’s a great escape from the neverending weekly road races. The following day after the Paraw Regatta, the National State Colleges and Universities Athletics Association (SCUAA) Olympics fired off at the Iloilo Sports Complex. Senator Franklin Drilon, Gov Art Defensor, Mayor Jed Mabilog and Rep. Jerry Trenas graced the affair participated in by over 1,000 athletes from all over the country. Just like the Cebu City Sports Center, the Iloilo track oval is deteriorating (built for the 1992 Palarong Pambansa). But despite being built ahead of Cebu it could still be used for national competition. I was told the rubberized track will soon be replaced, just like Cebu Sports is definitely not sleeping in Iloilo.

GUIMARAS ULTRA Don’t look now but Iloilo or make it Guimaras will soon have its first taste of ultra running soon. Boyet Rentoy of Prosports and I, recently made a survey of the area and will soon present the route to Jonel Mendoza who likewise promised to support the event. Ultras are fast becoming the new sport of many individuals who probably got bored with short road races. Last Sunday, the 2012 Vinta 50K was held in Zamboanga City while on March 10 the All Women 50K Ultramarathon fires off at Ayala Center. Then on April 29th the second Labor Day Coast to Coast 65K Ultramarathon will be staged at the Cebu Provincial Capitol while ending at the old Toledo City Hall.

Then on May 19 Bohol will host an 80K Ultramarathon. Of course the most awaited is the Bogo 160K Ultramarathon set on November 17-18. Notes: Frontrunner Magazine February edition is out in the streets. Featured are Century Properties Ultramarathon Cebu leg, Rening Ylaya and Twinkle Ignacio. Grab your copies now. Registration to the Labor Day Coast to Coast Ultramarathon is now in full swing at the Runnr Ayala.