Dueñas eyes crown in Mano Amon race

John Philip Dueñas of host Danao City will try to ward off the tough opposition in the men's side even as Leizal Lumindas-Getaruelas eyes for an easy win in the distaff side of the 26th Halad Kang Mano Amon Run, which will kick off infront of the Danao City Hall.

Dueñas, prodigy of former running champion Mendrica Bismanos, is the hometown favorite to win the premier 10-kilometer race but he is expected to meet strong opposition against bets from Cebu City.

Expected to give Dueñas a run for his money are Rogelio Reli of the Philippine Army, Milo Cebu Elimination champion Eugene Delposo of University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) and Joseph Penales of Bohol.

On the other hand, Lumindas-Getaruelas is looking for an easy victory in the distaff side in the race, which is expected to attract over a hundred runners.

Dubbed as the second oldest existing running event not only in Cebu, but in the country, next to the Milo Marathon, the competition is asking no registration fee from the participants.

As tradition continues, more categories with prizes are at stake.

Danao City councilor Oscar "Boying" Rodriguez, Jr., grandson of Danao's grand old man, the late Ramon "Mano Amon" Durano Sr., expects this year's edition to be a very memorable one.

Categories include the men and women's open, executive, students and all-Danao residents.

The students division will have the collegiate, secondary and elementary levels.

The open division contenders will be running 10-kilometer while the all-Danao residents, executive, the collegiate and the secondary divisions will deal with the 5K distance.

The elementary division runners, on the other hand, will race for three kilometers.

Aside from that, there will be a special award for the runner with the funkiest costume.

Close to P50,000 will be up for grabs in the event.

Mayor Ramon "Nito" Durano III is expected to lead the runners in this event along with his sons DOT secretary Ace Durano and Rep. Red Durano along with councilor Rodriguez, among others.