Parklane's 'Hunat Sugbu: Dagan para ni Maning'

CEBU, Philippines - Decorated Cebuano footracers Adonis Singson and Mary Joy Tabal once again rode on their superior speed and endurance to rule their respective divisions in yesterday's first ever "Hunat Sugbu:Dagan Para Ni Maning" starting and ending at the Terraces grounds of Ayala Center Cebu.

Some clad in specially designed shirts while others sport the uniforms of their clubs, close to 1,500 runners hit the road moments after the first glow of sunlight, spotlighting the overwhelming success of the race spearheaded by Cebu Parklane International Hotel to commemorate the birthday of its late president Manuel "Maning" G. Ting, who himself was among the pioneering runners of Cebu.

Singson, a 'balut' vendor who made a name in Cebu sports community after he plunged into long distance running with high level of competitiveness, crossed the finish line with the best time of 52 minutes and 33.14 seconds in the men's 15K action, edging out his closest pursuer Bonifacio Monjas by a mere five seconds.

Reiz Enriquez copped the third place honors with the time of 52:38.01 followed by Noel Tillor (55:10.48) and Jobert Carolino (55:11.41).

Rounding up the top 10 placers in the men's 12K were Alvirg Busa (57:01.09), Vonrad Dobluis (1:01:25.24), Fernando Berbesada (1:03:17.36), Leo Abello (1:05:11.94) and Arthur Saveron (1:11:08.4).

In the distaff side, Tabal lived up top her lofty billing as Cebu's newest road running queen after registering the fastest time of one hour and 26.41 seconds.

Christy Tutor was a distant second with a 1:10:31.94 clocking, while Madelyn Carter wound up third in 1:11:22.52. The next two spots were filled up by Tessie Escasinas (1:18:30.11) and Lheslen Abella (1:19:38.61).

Completing the sixth to 10th finishers were Atitaya Nielsen (1:24:15.40), Helen Dionson (1:29:37.94), Marivic Yu (1:31:52.34), Era Villacorta (1:33:42.15), and Kikai Legaspi (1:35:41.35).

Aside from gift certificates and medals, Singson and Tabal pocketed P7,000 each, while the second and third got P5,000 and P3,000, respectively.

Mary Grace de los Santos, on the other hand, made a wise decision not to clash head-on with Tabal in the 15K. Instead, she ran in the 5K and safely cruised to the finish line first with the time of 20 minutes and 13.09 seconds.

Joeyry Lee and Aiza Suaybaguio were at joint second and third with a similar time of 21:07.23. Jean Andrin placed fourth in 22:50.39, while Lynle Cardenas ended up fifth in 22:52.22.

Path Torremoro landed at sixth in (26:33.10) followed by Aurora Candido (28:46.49), Lorebelle Joy Parcon (30:23.68), Roxanne Comendador (31:37.79) and Esla Zets (31:44.63).

In the men's 5K category, Jess Gonzaga reigned supreme with the time of 17 minutes and 21.72 seconds.

Making it to the top 10 list were Jorry Ycong (17:31.03), Sherwin Managil (18:20.20), Reymart Montecalvo (18:26.28), Michel Largo (19:05.63), Brende Codera (19:54.33), Remy Capablanca (20:53.97), Hans Navarro (21:16.03) and Jaypee Alorzar (22:41.89).

The top three in the 5K received P3,000, P2,000 and P1,000.

Parklane general manager Cenely Manguilimotan and HRD director Stephen James Taylaran, who was also the event chairman, were on hand to award the prizes to the winners. The Freeman sports columnist Raffy T. Uytiepo and Priscillano Capangpangan took charge in the technical side of the race. – THE FREEMAN