Ricky Organiza caught a struggling Southeast Asian Games medallist Arlan Arbois flatfooted when he finally reached the Vicente Roa St. finish line on a cool, rainy morning in Cagayan de Oro City.
The 21-year-old Organiza ran his second men’s 21-kilometer run since December, and he did a good time when he was done competing in the Cagayan de Oro leg of the 2024 7-Eleven Run series recently.
“Kabisado ko ang ruta. Ito na po ang personal best ko,” said Organiza, who recently transferred from Far Eastern University to Jose Rizal University.
Now under national head coach, and JRU mentor Jojo Posadas, Organiza’s effort was his best so far, after winning his first half-marathon last December, with a clocking which was then at the 1:12 range.
For Organiza, this will serve as his preparation for the National Collegiate Athletic Association trackfest, and that’s when he has completed his residency period. By then, Organiza will compete in his regular events, the 1500-meter steeplechase and the 5000-meter run.
When the races were finished last Sunday, Organiza made his sister Christine Hallasgo proud, as they turned the men’s and women’s 21-kilometer run.
Organiza ran his fastest time ever, with his clocking of one hour, 10 minutes, and six seconds, which is regarded as the best overall time in this year’s race.
He outpaced a struggling Southeast Asian Games medallist Arlan Arbois when Orgniza finally reached the Vicente Roa St. finish line.
“Buildup niya iyan sa NCAA next year. Pumunta lang siya akin para mag-transfer nuong August,” said Posadas.
Posadas said Organiza, though, is still a long way off from being considered as part of the national pool in the middle to long-distance categories, since his opponents, like Arbois, were not in the best of shape when they competed.
The 23-year-old Arbois’ preparations and plans to head north for the Manila leg of the 7-Eleven series were ruined when floods struck his hometown in Davao City, his family’s eventual evacuation, and the repairs he had to do to his damaged home last Thursday, two weeks ago.
Arbois, a silver medallist in the 2023 SEA Games, almost succumbed to leg cramps at the halfway mark and still settled for the second spot with a good time of 1:12.39.
Gald that he was able to stay within range of his personal best, Arbois said he will use the prize money to repair and help others whose homes were damaged by flood waters in his home in San Rafael, Davao City.
Townmate Elmer Bartolo, whose home was also damaged by floods in Davao City, settled for third in 1:17.58.
Hallasgo, one of the country’s top marathon runners, chose to take it easy, waking up from a restful sleep some 10 minutes before gun time, coasted to the finish line pace with confidence, and with plenty of energy left in her.
The Malaybalay, Bukidnon-based Hallasgo reached the rain-drenched finish line in Vicente Roa St. in 1:23.55, also the event’s overall best, as she strode to the finish line all by herself
Malayo pa ang SEA Games. Sabi ko sa kanya(Ricky), mag-focus siya sa target time niya. Nakuha naman niya,” said the 31-year old year old Hallasgo, while keeping an eye on Ricky’s progress during her time on the road.
What made Hallasgo even happier was that she and her brother would be together for the first time in an international race, as organizers have also offered slots to international races around the Southeast Asian region to podium finishers.
Organiza will now get to run his first international meet, not only with Hallasgo but also with new qualifiers like Ramil Neri, who topped the men’s 42 km run with Myrel Benignos (women’s 42-K, Iloilo) and Rogen Aguirre(men’s 21-km, Iloilo).
Florendo Lapiz emerged as the overall winner of the men’s 42-km run after finishing the Manila leg of the footraces which were held simultaneously in the cities of Manila, Cagayan de Oro and Iloilo.
Lapiz clocked 2:33.13, to end up with a better from Cagayan de Oro top bet Ramil Neri and James Cruz, who took second and third. Maricar also dominated the race in Manila for the women’s top honors.
Richard Salano ruled the overall men’s 32-km run following his gold medal finish at the Quirino Grandstand, while Lizanne Abella topped the women’s side.
Lapiz clocked 2:33.13, to end up with a better from Cagayan de Oro top bet Ramil Neri and James Cruz, who took second and third. Maricar also dominated the race in Manila for the women’s top honors.
