National tracksters rule adidas King of the Road

National runners Julius Sermona and Christabel Martes led all the way in dominating the 2005 adidas King of the Road yesterday at the adidas Sports Kamp in Bonafacio Global City.

The 27-year-old Sermona of Mamaylan, Negros Occidental was timed at 31 minutes and 23 seconds while Martes of La Trinidad, Benguet clocked in at 35 minutes and 28 seconds.

They found little resistance from the field of 2,138 runners in the absence of two-time Olympian Eduardo Buenavista and Mercedita Manipol, who both ruled last year’s event and are the reigning King and Queen of the Road in Asia.

Sermona and Buenavista will represent the country in the 5K and 10K events of the 23rd Southeast Asian Games here from Nov. 27-Dec. 5. Martes will run in the 42K event along with Jho-an Banayag, while Manipol, who topped the 10K run of the 29th Milo Marathon finals last week, will compete in the women’s 5K and 10K races in the biennial meet.

Sermona and Martes each brought home P10,000 in cash prize plus P20,000 worth of adidas products. They also won trophies and Gentxt cellphones.

They will represent the country in the next Asian King of the Road.

Yesterday’s adidas King of the Road race was presented by Globe Gentxt with the participation of Nissan Frontier Titanium 3. The race was also held in cooperation with Snickers Chocolate Bar, Cherifer Premium Multivitamins, Powerade, Viva Mineral Water, Milo and Blue Angel Alcohol.  

Falling short of winning the top prize were Nelbert Ducusin and Abraham Barcarse, who crossed the line simultaneously at 33:19. Placing second to Martes was Flordeliza Carreon and third was Liza Delfin.

However, they all won in the age-group category.

Direct Link Runners Club bagged the team title while Makati Global Running Club placed second. The Mariners team A settled for third place.

The age-group winners were Gerald Cotchoco (9-12); Neilbert Ducusin and Carmina Bernardino (13-19); Abraham Barcarse and Flordeliza Carreon (20-29); Regie Lumauag and Liza Delfin (30-39) and Raul Lorbes and Rosario Alberto (40-above).