Gabe Branzuela’s
Cebu City Marathon
Cebu City or otherwise known as the Queen City of the South is like a mini version of Manila. It’s face-paced and full of energetic people. It’s also a little bit loud and dirty depending on how you look at things. Even with the traffic, smoke-belching jeepneys, undisciplined drivers and the lack of sights in the city, tourists often visit the city nonetheless. But when it comes to Cebu, it’s not all about those kind of stuff, it’s about the food and the island life. The months of December and January are always the busiest in the city. Not only because it’s Christmas and the New Year, but also people are anticipating the Sinulog festivities. Sinulog is celebrated every third Sunday of January. It is one, or yet the biggest festival in the country which celebrates the country’s conversion of Christianity. But before the everything else, runners tend to get excited or maybe nervous because the lack of training due to holiday weight gain because the Cebu City Marathon takes place every year a week before Sinulog. CCM 2020 was in its 11th year and it’s still one of the most anticipated races in the country. People get to choose from a full marathon, half marathon, 10km or 5km race. Not sure about how many participants joined but I think there were more or less 4000 runners. This year was exciting because the race went back to the usual route that started at Cebu Business Park or also known as Ayala grounds, then through the Provincial Capitol all the way to the border of the city in Pardo, back to the Capitol then all the way down to South Road Properties where you pass by people attending the dawn mass at Sto. Nino Church. Runners should expect a Sinulog or mardi-gras themed aid stations along the way with never ending music and dancers in the middle of the street. I started running in 2015 and ironically CCM 2020 was my first marathon in Cebu. No goals set before the race. I injured my left leg weeks before so I did not have the chance to do long runs that much because it starts to hurt around the 15km mark during my training sessions. Physical therapists told me to rest but the competitive person that I am, I told myself to go on with my training, suffer a few weeks more and completely rest and rehab it after the marathon. One thing I keep telling myself before the race was just to not embarrass myself and finish the marathon. Mamba Mentality! Gun time was at 3am. Did not have that much sleep but still felt good waking up and walking to the start line. I had a good start pacing and was hanging for dear life with some elite runners most of the race. Race then gets tricky and interesting around the 24km mark. You have squeeze yourself with the 5km, 10km and half marathon runners. Thankfully I got to premium rushed myself around them. I ran a 4:30 to 4:45 per kilometer pace until the 32km mark. Then the injury started to hurt. I can barely run a 6 minute per kilometer pace. So I started walking at the water/aid stations, which I barely do, enjoyed the sun rise and the cool SRP breeze. Also got to chat with some walking half marathoners. Took energy gels and some salt because I kept telling myself that it was just cramps. Hehe. With around 5km left, my friend ran or may be brisk walked with me to the finish line. 2 kilometers before the finish line, you can hear runners mumbling, cursing and complaining because there was so much extra distance. When I got to the sign where it said 1km to go, my watch was already near 43km. So that’s why. HAHA. I think I walked the remaining extra distance while telling some runners: “You already ran 5km/10km/21km/42km, what is one or two kilometers more?” There was not that much music. It was more of like Sinulog festivities music to hype you up during the race. Crowd was normal. I still prefer crowds internationally though because they really cheer you up. The course was not flat thanks to a couple of bridges and the long and uphill road from SRP to the Capitol. Laced with my favorite running shoes again, the Nike Pegasus Turbos, I finished with a watch time of 3 hours and 29 minutes (Chip time was 3:38). People who ran the previous CCMs always complain about how it’s organized and stuff. I think you just have to focus on your own race and try to enjoy it as much as you can. Being a runner just be happy you get to have a marathon in your city. It may not be a must for some people, but it’s a must for the locals. I would rate it a 6/7 out of 10.
Gabe Branzuela
PRL Marathoner
Slaying the CCM 2020 in 3 hours 29 minutes, Gabe Branzuela’s style.
Michael Terry Jensen Reviews The Athens Marathon
Rating: 10/10
Best points:
Historical value. World heritage sites.
Warm interactive crowd support.
Well-stocked aid-stations every 2.5 km.
Well-organised event.
Camaraderie with established Filipino running community.
The Downside:
Not conducive for PB due to its inclines.
Athens Marathon The Authentic
THIS race takes you through the route of the Greek soldier—whatshisname—after the Battle of Marathon to bring news of the victory over the Persians. His feat thousands of years ago was the inspiration behind the modern day event which is the mother of all marathons. So if you are into running, in my opinion, because of its historical significance, this must be in your to-do-list, kind of like a pilgrimage of sorts.
Runners set off at the town of Marathonas, flat at the start for about 6 miles and when you are warmed up and starting to fee good about yourself, the route will then take you uphill for about 13 miles (“killing me softly” as they fondly call it with a steep final incline at the very end, wherein you start to think “kill me now” LOL)—not very steep but it is painstakingly gradual and loooong that it will make your calves scream. While running you can’t help but imagine yourself as the heroic soldier in the history books, treading on the very same ground as he did during his dramatic run. It then takes runners to the city of Athens finishing at the Panathaenic Stadium. Literally you get goosebumps all over you r body as you enter the stadium for your victory lap. I was soaking it all in, looking at the stands, and almost got emotional but then I tripped myself and nearly landed on my face. I managed to pick myself up, hold it all in and cross the finish line. Job completed, I wore my bling with pride.
If you are looking for personal best (PB), this is not the race for you. The Authentic is a proper touchy, 26.3 miles with a total ascent of 993 feet. Maximum elevation is 830 feet. So, I would like to give a big shoutout to my legs—you’ve done me proud and held up strong for most of the race.
People lined the whole course, cheering us on, handing out olive branches and giving high fives. Some were dancing to music blasting from the speakers. Aid stations every 2.5 km were sufficiently stocked, staffed by friendly and nice volunteers. Thank you for cheering us on and taking care of us that day. It was very well organised event. Overall this race for me is a 10/10. I would highly recommend it.
Should you plan on making this trip, do it with a group—it is much safer and can save you a lot of money. There are a lot of historical sights to see which are easily accessible if you commute, so plan ahead and give yourselves plenty of rest before race day (trust me on this one). There are many hotels within and around the vicinity of Athens. Book one early to get it cheap.
To my Pinoy Runners London brothers: Binoy, Ed, and Darryl, I am happy to have done this journey with you. Good times, my brothers, good times. Puro kain at tawanan, ah ah.
One of the real pleasures of running is that you meet many people and during this trip we had the pleasure of hanging out with the Pilipinas Running Team-Greece. It was Filipino hospitality at its best—you my brothers and sisters are all awesome!!! There is too many of you to mention but we would like to extend our heartfelt appreciation to all of you. More power sa inyong sampan!
To my wife and kids, thank you for the love and support. You are my everything, my source of inspiration. I praise the Lord for giving strength each day.
Word hard for anything you want because it won’t come to you without a fight.
Michael Terry Jensen
PROUD FINISHER, Athens Marathon 2019
#overseashalfFilipinoworker
#hustleparasapamilya
#neverafinishedproduct
The Berlin Marathon According to Gabe Branzuela
(Editor’s note: the Berlin wall has long been smashed. But just like any other marathons, there will always be this “wall” each runner has to tackle. This is both a review and a brief story of how brothers Nico and Gabe Branzuela dismantle this other Berlin wall to record new personal best (PB) times).
THE Berlin Marathon was my and brother Nico’s first World Major Marathon. It was my third marathon outside the Philippines so I felt that I knew what was coming and what to expect. But boy, I was wrong.
All the training and preparation was on point. From the diet months leading to the race, to the carbo-loading two days or maybe a week before the race (haha). It was a little bit exhausting for me though since I had to fly all the way from the Philippines. Unlike my brother who was just a few hours away, coming from London. However, we were actually so confident that we had the guts to run an easy 10 miles around the city the day before the big event.
We had an idea what Berlin Marathon was like based on some vlogs and reviews so we had to get there earlier than usual because there would be a long walk from the gate to the actual corrals. Then, an extra walk for the bag drop and a short trip to the loos. After which, we proceeded towards our starting line (both of us were in the same wave) for some warm up exercises an hour before we set off. A few “Hail Mary’s” and “Glory Be’s” recited in our minds accompanied our slow walk to our corral. We did a final check to make sure all of our essentials were complete—gels, salts, chocolates, etc.
Waiting for our wave to start was a little bit different compared to the other marathons. People were so locked in and serious as the chance to qualify for the elusive Boston Marathon was higher. You would not feel the undeniable floating presence of this so-called BQ (Boston qualifier) in Berlin compared to the other marathons where people are smiling, chatting, and enjoying each other’s company.
Laced with our ever reliable racing shoes the Nike Pegasus Turbos, we made the sign of the cross and we set off! Myself and my brother ran 3/4 of the marathon together as a duo. This, we would always do until someone bonks (haha!). They always say that the marathon starts at mile 20. We separated at maybe mile 20 or 21 when it started to rain. The course was advertised as flat all the way and being the fastest marathon in the world. And it did not disappoint. Music was outstanding. Crowd was great where we saw a few Filipinos cheering for us. And the water/ aid/ nutrition stations were superb.
I would score Berlin Marathon 8 out of 10. Just because of the inclement weather and the use of plastic cups which we thought was not so eco-friendly.
Myself and my brother finished with new PB’s. 3 hours 30 minutes 38 seconds for me and 3 hours 37 minutes 31 seconds for him. Maybe we could have done better if not for the heavy rain. But we would still definitely do it again if given the chance. The race was really well organised. It was easy to figure out where to get what you need from the expo to the end of the race. Overall, it is a major so it is a must. One down, 5 (New York, Boston, Tokyo, Chicago, and London) more to go for us!
Gabe Branzuela, Marathoner
Cebu City, Philippines
16/10/20
The Branzuela brothers with their well-earned Berlin Marathon medals: Nico (left) and Gabe (right).
Rating: 8/10
The Best Points:
Being a World Major Marathon (prestige).
Flat course.
Great crowd.
Well organised event. Well stocked aid stations.
Great music for the runners.
The Downside
Not so eco-friendly with the use of plastic cups.
Inclement weather.
Make it stand out.
An Irish Craic - “The Friendly Marathon”
Leah Palado Vinzons Reviews
The Dublin Marathon
Dublin’s Ultra Queen Leah Palado-Vinzons wearing the bling in last year’s Dublin Marathon—”The Friendly Marathon”.
THE bank holiday in late October until last year, the streets of Dublin were flocked with thousands of runners and spectators around the world. It was like a festival with the buzzing energy of the runners lining up along the Fitzwilliam square. The autumn weather with the freezing temperature of 3-6 degrees Centigrade would dictate your bladder to pee while waiting to start the race which was the disadvantage for a female runner like me due to the portable loos around had a long queue. You could see impatient runners peeing at the trees or parks around the Merrion street. I am once guilty of peeing at the side of the fence with my running friend Reggie who was trying to cover me from the runners around, before we were set to go (sorry I was really bursting) - a mum of three with 3 normal deliveries could not hold for the next few minutes. Many running friends and families gathered together with the greetings “what’s the craic?” Well, joining the Dublin Marathon- The Friendly One— is an Irish craic, as people said. The thousands of enthusiastic spectators (young and old) lining on the streets to support the exhausted runners and walkers with the common goal of smashing the 42.2km of Dublin city. They said the route was pretty flat but “Hmmmmm” hitting the area of Chapelozid going to Crumlin from the Phoenix Park was a bit challenge though. The inclined road was unnoticeable because of the spectators making their noises and continuously cheering with their sweets, apples & oranges to offer. The hydration stations were superb in every 5-6km with the portable loos. “Pain now, beer later” the cold beer poster made your mouth water and fly the course until you were in the 32-33km of the “heartbreaking hill” in Clonskeagh which would test your patience - either you drop or to carry on (I witnessed some people fainting at this area, which made it the favourite place for the ambulance crew). Then the last 6km was around my place of work (St Vincent’s University Hospital) where nurses, carers, porters and patients would go out to cheer “you’re nearly there, it is just around the corner!” which I felt it was the longest corner that every runner was waiting for. In this marathon journey you would meet a lot of cartoon characters running including the Leprechaun, Eiffel Tower and Lady Liberty of New York who were running last year. Pacers like Rolando Espina, Rex Brillantes and Edward Jarlos were pride of Filipino runners and in one of this event I met Zaldy who encouraged me for more marathons around Ireland. Surely, this weekend runners are missing the vibrant crowd, tears and laughters, hearing the music “born to run”. My prayers and hope to overcome the uncertainty brought by pandemic as Dublin is entering to the second lockdown. But, there is one thing for sure when this is over, the friendly Dublin Marathon must be on the list of every runners as it offers an Irish craic experience of 9/10.
THE BEST POINTS:
Friendly ambience and supportive interactive crowd.
Well organised.
Adequately stocked aid stations.
Prestigious international event.
THE DOWNSIDE:
Lack of toilets at the starting line especially for women.
Not-so-flat route as promised.
Frosty autumnal weather.
Editor’s note: Leah is a full time nurse specialist based in Dublin, Ireland who is as mad as the rest of the PRL family to run marathons and ultras all year round .
Leah during the 2012 edition of The Dublin Marathon, the year of the London Olympics.