Tallam, Barcena rule NatGeo Earth Day run

MANILA, Philippines - James Tallam and Nhea Ann Barcena dominated their respective divisions in the premier 21k race as they led the winners in the second National Geographic’s Earth Day Run at the Bonifacio Global City last Sunday.

Tallam turned in a 1:13:54 clocking (chip time) to beat Regie Lumawag (1:27:16) and Ryan Kerwin (1:30:13) for top honors in the centerpiece event of the four-category race put up by National Geographic Channel to help save the environment and raise awareness on the need to care about the planet.

Barcena, on the other hand, ran away with the crown in the ladies side with a 1:27:17 clocking, some 11 minutes ahead of runner-up Amanda Carpo, who checked in at 1:38:43, while Aileen Breen finished a distant third in 1:46:28 in event presented by PLDT MyDSL held in partnership with BGC and Greenbelt and backed by Petron Turbo Diesel, Canon, Prudential Guarantee, 1st Endurance and Cushe.

Sharing the podium honors were Sterling Packer (0:41:17) and Luisa Raterta (0:40:33), who topped the 10k race; Christopher Ulboc Jr. (0:16:37) and Adjeanie Rose delos Santos (0:21:28), who ruled the 5k event; and Milbert Nabu-Ab (0:10:43) and Leonalyn Raterta (0:14:01), who lorded it over the field in the 3k fun run.

Ulboc bested Alex Arabit (18:41) and Aver Sister (19:53); Delos Santos held off Frejielyn Roncales (23:57) and Lara Reynolds (26:24); Nabu-Ab outsprinted Edward Alto (11:15) and Jose Partosa (12:20) and Raterta beat Teresita Lardizabal (16:13) and Irma Antonio (16:28).

Jude Turcuato, territory director of Fox International Channels-Philippines, said a total of 10,335 runners took part in the second staging of the event, also held to raise funds for Mind Museum, which is set to open shop in December in Taguig.

The Mind Museum is country’s first world-class science institution which will house a wide collection of artifacts and other objects of scientific, artistic, or importance.