When running was just starting in Cebu, only a few doctors were into it. The only known doctors who were running then were Dr. Jovito Lee (still running at 77) and Dr. Mike Mancao (also still running at 80). Today, doctors on the run are aplenty forcing race organizers to add a doctor’s category. Before Dr. Yong Larrazabal and Dr. Glen Cang, (probably two of the fastest at the moment), took to running, there were Dr. Vic Verallo, Dr. Tito Macarasig and mountain climber – turned runner Abe Manlawe. Of course some of the doctors bitten by the running bug are Peter Mancao, Nicole Chua, Albert Santos, Romy Letigio, Pons del Prado, Wilson Goopio, Emily Estrada, Rosan Trani, Wenny Lumapas and Renald Ramiro. Just recently Yong, Peter, Glen, Rosan and Emily participated in the “Takbo para sa Puso” held at the UP Campus in Diliman, Quezon City. Yong placed third in the 10K Medical Doctor Division, clocking 47:47 while Glen wound up fifth in 49:49. Emily almost won in the distaff side after she clocked 1:04 while Rosan pocketed fourth in 1:11. In the 5K Medical Doctors Division, Peter settled for fifth in 32:04. It was an impressive showing of our Cebuano doctors prompting their Manila counterparts to say “Marami palang doktor ang tumatakbo sa Cebu.” Yong said they will be going back next year and with more training, they could even win the crown. Dr. Ricardo Papa the 10K winner timed 46:07 while the second placer Jonathan Babsa-ay only nipped Yong by 19 seconds. Had Renald run in the 5K, his 26 minutes PR is good for second place. Nicole could have easily place in the top 5 had she join the race. Anyway, a
