The one-day afternoon affair, which was divided into two categories, has a total of 1,150 participants composed of men and women.

The 3-K run for the heart was participated in by 311 men and women, while the 6-K run has exceeded beyond the double number of3-K’s men and women, reaching its division’s participation to 839.

The 3-K run route started from City Hall playground towards the cemetery road, then turned left to R.K. Kangleon Street in Brgy. Mambajao and back to the finishing line at the City hall.

The 6-K run which also started at City Hall passing the National Highway and up to the Capitol compound. From there the runners went back from where they have started en route to Brgy. Canturing and passing by the “Tulay Sa Pangulo” steel bridge, then proceeded to the highway and back to City Hall.

Earlier, Daryl Cadavos Cinco of the Maasin City Sports Council Office said that before the start of the competition all participants were required to register to qualify them, paying one hundred pesos each.T-shirts that served as uniforms emblazoned with red-colored heart on its frontage and backgrounded with black letters, were given.

Cinco informed that the first, second and third winners in the 3-K in men’s and women’s divisions have respectively received prizes of P1, 500.00, P1, 000.00 and P500.00 each. While the three winners in the 6-K run of similar two divisions have received P2, 000.00, P1, 500.00 and P1, 000.00.

Winners of the 3-K run for men were: First-Jeffrey Bellota wearing no.1415 had a clocking time of 16:19 from Brgy. Lonoy; Second-Edgar Castillano #1745 with a clocking time of 16:48 from Brgy. Mambajao; Third-Enrico Ramos #1635, clocking time 16:52-Yawyan Club member from Brgy. Asuncion.

Winners of 3-K run for women were:First-Nory Ann Dumagat #1242,clocking time 27:35,a teacher of the Maasin City College; Second-Jilma Maraon #1629,clocking time 28:52-Maasin City Sports Council office; Third-Marlina Sabalo #1081,clocking time 29:45-City Hall Accounting Office employee.

Winners of 6-K run for men’s division were: First-Narciso Deterala #85,cloking time 23:23 from Tolosa,Leyte; Second-Miguel Egido #139,clocking time 26:42- Brgy. Hanginan 2; Third-German Egido #34, clocking time 28:52-Brgy. Hanginan 2.

Winners of 6-K run in women’s division have a tie: Mary Ann Lapasanda #110 and Joyce Jane Mancesa #105 who were both members of the Philippine Natonal Police have the same clocking time of 45:16. Second-Ritchiele Abiñon #100 with a clocking time of 45:57-PNP.

The MCSC employee further confided that the proceeds of the run for the heart were used to buy sacks of rice for the Guinsaugon survivors during the recent Feb. 17, 2011 5th commemorative day of the Guinsaugon massive landslide when more or less 2,000 people have been buried alive in cement-like mud. “One hundred repacked pieces of 4-kilo rice each were brought to St.Bernard by the heads of city hall offices led by Mayor Samaco”, she said.

Furthermore, Samaco pointed out that the previously concluded marathon aims to foster agenda for Sports Excellence; to increase participation amongst constituents in Sports and various wellness activities; to promote physical activities like sports as effective way of maintaining healthy lifestyle amongst employees of the City Government in particular and the constituency in general; to raise funds to the victims of landslides in Southern Leyte. (Quirico M. Gorpido,Jr.)

The eight-day games competitions held in three different venues at the city gym, Maasin Tennis Lawn and at SJC?s covered court, were based on an amateur scoring system of 50,40,30,20 according to our source at the city hall. The games competed were badminton, chess, table tennis, basketball, volleyball for women and volleyball for men..

The Maasin City College (MCC) garnered the second place with 60 points less (220) from that of the SJC. Third place went to the College of Maasin (CM) 180. The Systems Technology Institute (STI) bagged the fourth place position at160 points.

Individual team results of the sportsfest showed that SJC capped as winner in 4 games like badminton, chess, basketball and volleyball for women. But second place in table tennis and volleyball for men.

MCC got third in badminton, table tennis and in chess. However, it?s the second placer in basketball and volleyball for women. In volleyball for men, MCC was the first.

CM was the winner in table tennis, second in badminton, but 4th place in chess, basketball and volleyball for women. CM was third in the volleyball for men.

STI also in the individual team competitions reaped second place in chess, third in basketball and volleyball for women. The Computer College went down lower to 4th place in badminton, table tennis and volleyball for men

Promote the spirit of camaraderie; inspire incoming college students.

Prior to the grueling competitions there was a short parade led by City Vice-Mayor Effie Abiera-Sabandal and the Sangguniang Panlunsod members. They were followed by a total of 46 selected athletes aside from the officiating officials and 4 Sports Coordinators from the four participating colleges.

In his speech during the opening program Mayor Maloney Samaco standing at the stage fronting the city hall emphasized that the event has something to promote the spirit of camaraderie, develop social bonding, and foster closer ties among the 4 tertiary institutions of learning through healthy friendly games.

Samaco, Chair of the Maasin City Sports Council (MCSC) and President of the Maasin City College which he pioneered, said bigger things were considered to happen in the succeeding years? conduct of the Maasin Inter-Collegiate Athletic Association (MICAA) meet.

He thanked administrators, officiating officials and sports coordinators of every school for their support and for their favorable response to the idea of forming the Maasin Inter-Collegiate Athletic Association (MICAA) which is similar to the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) in Manila and in Cebu City.

Another purpose of hosting the first inter-collegiate games, the Mayor pointed out, was to inspire incoming college students to study in the city and not elsewhere. He added that the local colleges can very well compete with other colleges or universities in academic and physical fitness activities.

A highlight of the opening ceremony was a torch run led by Mayor Samaco and followed by the 4 sports coordinators of the colleges. Newly-appointed City Administrator Atty. Feorillo ?Bombom? Demeterio, Jr. led the oath of amateurism that was repeated by all the athletes and officiating officials.

Awarding Ceremony

A day after the sportsfest, there was an awarding ceremony held the following evening at the city gym.

The special event was led by no less than Mayor Samaco and attended by all the participants during the eight-day games competitions.

SJC received P10, 000.00 worth of sports equipment and the MASAM Torch of? Sports Excellence. MCC received P7, 000.00 worth of sports equipment. CM also received P5, 000.00 worth of sports equipment, while STI received P3, 000.00 worth of sports equipment.

There was also the selection of the Most Valuable Player in each game category, based on their respective active performances, scoring points and sportsmanship behaviors during the duration of the games. SJC?s 2 athletes Mark Anthony Gonzales and Eliza Almare are the MVPs for basketball and volleyball for women respectively. While MCC?s Michael Amper is the MVP in volleyball for men.

Also present were SJC Sports Director Dante Monter, City Councilor Ricky Montalbo, Vice-Chairman Committee on Sports, Bethany S. Gado. MCC dancers provided the intermissions. Newscaster Zaldy Olita acted as the EMCEE of the program.

The Sportswriter Mayor further announced that the next inter-collegiate meet shall be held sometime in November 2009.(Quirico M. Gorpido,Jr.)