Birthday boy Duenas dominates Mano Amon footrace

CEBU - Philip Duenas of Southwestern University celebrated his birthday with a grandslam victory after he dominated the men's open division of the 28th Halad Kang Mano Amon Run yesterday in Danao City.

Duenas, who turned 22 years old on the race day, scored another resounding victory over chief rival Mendel Lopez in the close to 10-kilometer run.

Lopez broke away from the pack after the first two kilometers but got exhausted at the turning point, giving way for Duenas to take the lead.

Duenas did not look back from there onwards to win the race and prove that his triumph over Lopez during last week's Midnight Run was no fluke. He breasted the tape in 25 minutes and 14.78 seconds, while Lopez clocked in 25:21.70 to settle for second place.

Brothers Joel and Eugene Delposo of the University of Southern Philippines got the third and fourth spots, while Han Bernido placed fifth.

The rest of the top 10 cast were Elmer Bartolo, Abelardo Mahinay, Noel Espina, Charlie Berberio, and Jeppy Lumongsod.

In the distaff side, the Cebu-based Zamboangeña Grace de los Santos stunned early title favorite Leiszl Lumindas-Gitaruelas just like what she did during the UTAFA Run.

Madelyn Carter trailed Gitaruelas, while Vlessica Jagna came out fourth. Completing the top 10 finishers were Miscelle Gilbuena, Honeylyn Jubay, Merlita Arias, former top collegiate swimmer Lorhiz Echavez, Mendrica Villarubia, and Gerlyn Baylon.

Bon Brandon, for his part, outpaced Rening Ylaya for the top post in the Cebu executive division, while the top three performers among the Danao executives were Venesando Arresgado, Enrique Mangas and Noel Laping.

The 72-year-old Ylaya got an added bonus as he was awarded by Rep. Red Durano and acting vice mayor and Danao City Sports Commission chairman Oscar “Boying” Rodriguez Jr. with a special prize for being the oldest participant. Allen Aguilar and Karlyn Villarin were the youngest entries at eight years old.

In the all-Danao 5K category, Ramil Lumindas topped the 20-29 age bracket, Ramie Lawas in the 30-39, Lolito Lusanta in the 40-49, and Celso Cuizon in the 50-above.

Juphet Rivera and Angelie Lawas were the fastest in the high school division, while Jude Rivera and Rowen Nontes reigned supreme in the collegiate class.

Christian Cal and Romelee Teves lorded it over in the elementary action.

The biggest delegation award in the annual event held in honor of Danao’s grand old man, the late Ramon Durano Sr., went to DT Elementary.  –Caecent No-ot Magsumbol (THE FREEMAN)