Losiaboi, De los Santos rule Lapu' Run

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu-based Kenyan runner Simon Losiaboi and Mary Grace de los Santos added another title in their roster of achievements as they reigned supreme in their respective divisions during the 2nd Great Lapu-Lapu Run yesterday, which started and ended at the historic Liberty Shrine in Mactan Island.

Losiaboi proved too much for his opponents after crossing the finish line in one hour and 12.47 minutes to clinch the men’s 21K title.

“I could say that when it comes to flat road races, I’m highly competitive. What kept me winning in the tournaments is that I have focus every time I run, making sure that there will be no disturbances along the road by keeping myself on the lead,” said Losiaboi.

Eric Panique occupied the second spot in 1:13.24 while Losiaboi’s rival and last year’s champion, Mendel Lopez came in third with the time of 1:14:54.

In the women’s division, De los Santos , who has been a consistent road race winner swept the top spot with a time of one hour and 24.32 minutes.

Maricel Manquilan settled for the second place in 1:29:31 followed by Madelyn Carter with the time of 1:30:37.

Losiaboi and delos Santos will enjoy a free trip to the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon courtesy of Cebu Pacific, while organizing Lapu-Lapu Sports and Events Bureau, Inc. will provide them accommodation and entry fee for the said event.

These perks will surely be an added challenge for the Pinoy runners to perform well in the race. Also, it is Lapu-Lapu City ’s way of helping out mold Pinoy world-class runners.

In the 10K men’s class, Ben Alijandrino came out the fastest with the time of 33 minutes and 42 seconds. Philip Duenas and Roland Montebon copped the next two spots with the time of 34:05 and 34:24, respectively.

In the distaff side, Mary Joy Tabal of Southwestern University took the first place honors with the time of 40:24 followed by Gerly Rose Baylon (49:49) and Amali Japson (51:08).

In the 5K men’s division, Joel Delposo snatched the title with a 17:09.47 clocking. Jorry Ycong, wound up second in 17:16.95 while Jess Gonzaga finished third in 17:26.06.

Meriam Miranda, a University of Sto . Tomas long distance athlete, ruled the women’s bracket with the time of 22 minutes and 6.20 seconds, which was 12 minutes ahead to Sheena Gacayan, who placed second in 22:18.07 followed by Merlita Dunkin in 25:12.67.

Roberto Daang stole part of the limelight by lording it over in the 3K category. He finished the race in 10 minutes and 11.91 seconds. Roland Batiancila landed at second in 10:22.54 followed by Ronny Andrin in 11:33.34.

Jade Recto took the women’s title with a time of 12 minutes and 54.39 seconds. Criscelle Dionson and Carmela Quijano completed the top three spots clocking 12:57.59 and 13:11.47, respectively.

Except for entries in the 3K fun run and 5K, the participants in the premiere 21-kilometer and 10K categories used a microchip, a customized timing devise that was similarly used during the highly-successful Cebu Marathon last January.

The race was organized by the Lapu-Lapu City Government and the Lapu Lapu City Tourism Cultural and Historical Commission spearheaded by Hembler Mendoza. - THE FREEMAN