Tonacao, Parajenog dominate finale of ultra race trilogy

CEBU, Philippines - Andy Tonacao and Virginia "Virgie" Parajenog completed the Cebu Ultra Runners Club's Ultramarathon Trilogy with impressive victories in the final leg that was made more challenging by the heavy downpour and rugged terrains from Tabuelan north of Cebu to Family Park in Brgy. Talamban, Cebu City yesterday.

Tonacao of TOES Tacloban opened his bid in this event with a seventh place finish in the men's division, but bounced back with finesse to win the second leg.

In the finale that started last Saturday night, Tonacao led al  throughout the 100-kilometer race that passed through the dreaded Trans-Central Highway.

Based on the live tracking by JJ Ulra-race Tracker, Tonacao reached kilometer 40 past 9 pm Saturday. He braced the kilometer 60 marker before midnight.

By 3:29 in the morning, Tonacao was just 10 kilometers away from the finish line and pushed himself further to finish the lung-busting action in only 10 hours, 32 minutes and 33 seconds.

First leg winner Jieter Bada finished only second this time with the time of 11:39:28, while Ruel Gistupa came out a distant third with a 12:02:41 clocking. The next two spots went to Seigfred Adlao (12:16:32) and Melandro Cuyos (12:25:36).

In the distaff side, only Virgie Parajenog of TAD lived up to expectations as she completed the three-leg series with a bang. She wound up eighth place overall but finished first among the close to 40 runners who registered with the time of 13 hours, eight minutes, and 52 seconds.

Rhoda Oporto, who topped the second leg, ended up second with the time of 13:32.20.   

Three female ultra racers from Team Titans of Davao grabbed the next three spots. Teamwork played well for Catherine Arias, Virginia Tumapon and Klymille Keilah Rodriguez as they conquered the unfamiliar route way ahead of the 20-hour cut-off time.

Arias timed 13:35:12, Tumapon clocked in 14:12:03, while Rodriguez touched down the finish line in 16:28:56 clocking. (FREEMAN)