UP-AND-COMERS’ COMING OUT PARTY
Three young girls steal show in international run, Cebu Marathon, become faces of future of Cebu running
At first glance, one would think that the three girls standing on the podium are ordinary teenagers; but what they have is something special that put them as one of Cebu’s top up-andcoming athletes.
The Top 3 in the women’s 5-kilometer race in the 10th Cebu Marathon last Sunday are winners in their own right, having already carved their niche in the local scene.
The 14-year-old Mary Joy Loberanis led the podium runners after winning the 5K race in 19 minutes and 54 seconds. Standing by her side were triathletes Karen Andrea Manayon and Moira Frances Erediano.
Loberanis, a Grade 8 student of University of San Carlos-Basic Education (USC-Bed), is known for racking up gold medals in the multi-sporting meets like the Central Visayas Athletic Association (Cviraa), Cebu City Olympics, Palarong Pambansa and Milo Little Olympics.
The reigning Milo Marathon- Cebu Leg 5K champion Loberanis brought her prowess for the first time in the Cebu Marathon. The result was the same.
“This is my first time to join Cebu Marathon. I just got back on the road because we are busy preparing for the Cviraa (which is set next month in City of Naga, southernCebu),” said the varsity runner Loberanis, who idolizes Olympian Mary Joy Tabal.
Loberanis, who started running when she was seven years old, wants to become like her idol someday. “I got inspired by ate Joy (Tabal). I want to be just like her someday,” she said.
Triathlete Karen Andrea Manayon of Talisay City Luigi Triathlon Group (TLTG) clocked 20:41 to take second place. The 14-year-old Grade 8 student of Talisay City Science High School improved her Cebu Marathon’s last year time which was 21:01.
Manayon focuses on triathlon but also does running as part of her preparation for the three-discipline race.
Manayon recently showed her class in the triathlon and cycling events after winning two gold medals for Cebu Province in the 2016 Batang Pinoy National Championships in Tagum City last December.
Manayon topped the girls’ 13 to 15 triathlon event and 17-under individual time trial cycling. It was the first time she won gold medal in the Batang Pinoy National Finals.
“This is my second Cebu Marathon and I also finished second last year. But for this year, my time has improved,” said Manayon, who dreams to compete in international triathlon events.
The third placer Moira Frances Erediano finished the Cebu Marathon 5K race in 21:26, a way better than her 24:00 last year.
Erediano, a Grade 6 student of Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu, takes triathlon as her main sports under the TLTG, which is coached by Roland Remolino.
Erediano of Talisay City Cebu won gold medals in girls 11 to 12 duathlon event, triathlon event and cycling criterium in Batang Pinoy Championships.
“This is my second time in Cebu Marathon. I was satisfied with my performance since I have improved my time,” said Erediano.
The three young athletes share the same mentally in training— hard work and focus. Loberanis, Manayon and Erediano are all looking to represent not just their schools, but also Cebu, in coming competitions.