Vence, Martes tough enough for Manila, SEAG

Roy Vence and Cristabel Martes reigned supreme in yesterday’s third Manila Marathon then declared both their readiness and eagerness to win the gold medal in the 23rd SEA Games scheduled in the country later this year.

The 39-year-old Vence continued to defy age as he won the men’s crown unmolested. He finished the 42 km race in and around the country’s capital city in two hours 22 minutes and 18 seconds.

Martes was more relentless, setting a torrid pace no one else could match as she timed 2:38.44 to surpass the RP record of 2:45.48 which she established during the 2002 Hong Kong Marathon.

Vence, gold medalist in the 2001 Kuala Lumpur SEA Games, left the lead pack in the final 12 kms and finished more than three minutes ahead of runner-up Cresenciano Sabal (2:25.36). Reynaldo delos Reyes was third in 2:27.40.

Some 50,000 runners showed up for the race, spiced by side events like 3K and 5K runs. Organizer Ali Atienza of the Manila Sports Council said he will have to wait for the official number of finishers in their bid to make it to the Guinness Book of World Records.

Vence said he could have carded a better time if not for the absence of Allan Ballester, the reigning SEA Games champion.

"Maganda ang route. Pero mas-maganda sana ang time kung nandito si Ballester. Nag-pacing na lang ako. Nung bumagal sila ng husto ako nag-decide lumayo na. Sa last six mahigit isang kilometro na ang layo ko sa kanila," said Vence.

For winning, Vence took home P75,000 and a boosted confidence for the SEA Games set Nov. 27-Dec. 5. Barring any misfortune, Vence and Ballester are tipped to dispute the gold before their own countrymen.

"Malaki ang chance ko sa SEA Games," he said.

Athletics chief Go Teng Kok confirmed the record-breaking feat of the 25-year-old Martes who hails from La Trinidad, Benguet. Martes won the gold in the 2001 SEA Games but had to skip the 2003 Vietnam edition because of an injury.

"Huwag lang madisgrasya, sure na ang gold sa SEA Games," said Martes, who won the P50,000 purse in the women’s side. Finishing second and miles away was Melinda Manahan (3:03.28) with Liza Yambao in third (3:12.04).

"Walang katalo-talo sa SEA Games," said the athletics president.