De los Santos dominates Sinulog Half-Marathon in style

Cebu - Mary Grace de los Santos ruled the women’s open in record-breaking fashion, even as first-time competitor Angelito Sibayan dominated the men’s side of the 2nd Mizuno-Asia Miles Sinulog Half-Marathon yesterday at the Asiatown IT Park in Brgy. Apas, this city.

De los Santos, a native of Zamboanga but is now based in Cebu, outsmarted Leizl Lumindas-Gitaruelas anew. She finished the lung-busting 21-kilometer race in one hour, 27 minutes and 48 seconds, eclipsing the previous national record of one hour, 28 minutes, and 21 second held by Gitaruelas. 

Inspite of that, Gitaruelas still came out happy as she got the P20,000 worth of Asia Miles that’s good for a roundtrip plane ticket for Hong Kong.

Madelyn Carter finished third followed by Toledo’s Joeyry Ann Lee and Southwestern University’s Mischel Gilbuena.

In the men’s class, defending champion Elmer Bartolo was relegated to third place honors.

However, Bartolo’s RP mark remains as this year’s crown-holder Sibayan of Davao only cloked in 1:13.01. Bartolo’s record stood as 1:10.20.65.

Rene Desuyo placed second, while Rogelio Reli wound up fourth followed by SWU’s Philip Duenas.

In the 5K action, Joel Delposo snatched the title, while the Hong Kong-bound Mendel Lopez and Ian Bernido settled for second and third, respectively.

In the distaff side of the Cebu Executive Runners Club (CERC)-organized event, Vlessica Jagna romped off with the crown while Sheena Gacayan and Mary Jane Beboso finished second and third. —Caecent No-ot Magsumbol (THE FREEMAN)