Raquim, Raterta top Condura Skyway run

MANILA, Philippines - Irineo Raquim held off Army rival Elmer Sabal to capture the overall men’s 42K crown while Laguna standout Luisa Raterta topped the ladies side in the Condura Skyway Marathon in Alabang yesterday.

Raquim crossed the finish line on Spectrum Ave. in Filinvest City in two hours, 38 minutes, 38 seconds, beating Sabal by five minutes and winning the top P25,000 purse.

Since no foreign runner came up with a podium finish in eight categories, the 25-year-old Raquim found himself getting a bonus of P25,000 for finishing first overall for a whopping P50,000 windfall.

Sabal, bothered by cramps halfway into the race, clocked 2:43.38 and received a double prize of P30,000 while Rene Desuyo placed third in 2:48.02 and took home P20,000.

Raterta, on the other hand, timed 3:10.05 to beat Miscelle Gilbuena (3:11.10) for the ladies crown while Bernardita Mag-Aso came in a far third in 3:21.16.

Raterta also doubled her prize winnings, taking home P50,000 while Gilbuena and Mag-Aso got P30,000 and P20,000, respectively.

Raquim, a native of Gloria, Oriental Mindoro, picked up the pace in the last 10 kilometers, leaving behind Sabal and Desuyo as they headed down in Muntinlupa from the Skyway’s entry point in Parañaque.

“I took up the pace from there all the way to the finish,” said Raquim in Filipino.

In other categories, Alley Quisay and Nhe Ann Barcena topped the men’s and women’s 21K  run with clockings of 1:13.42 and 1:32.26, respectively.

Jujet de Asis (1:14.51) and Alquin Bolivar (1:17.31 finished behind Quisay, while Janet Agura (1:37.86) and Victorina Calma (1:41.14) placed second and third, respectively, in the distaff side.

Andrico Mahilum (34:47) took the men’s 10K honors, while Corazon Salcedo (47:16) ruled the women’s side.

Gerald Ambayec (23:09) and Ilana McGrath (23:09) dominated the men’s and women’s 6K category, while Enrico Penera (15:30) and Iris Torculas (19:12) won the men’s 3.8 km honors.

A total of 13,323 runners took part in the race with all finishers receiving medals. The 42K finishers also received an exclusive “I Conquered the Skyway” finishers’ shirt.

The event also recorded the biggest growth of 42K runners to 2,650, making it  the biggest marathon event to date in the Philippines. 

The beautiful experience of running on the premier tollway lured runners from as far as Europe, Africa, the United States and neighboring Asian countries.  There was also a good number of running contingents flying in from other regions of the Philippines just to be able to experience running on the Skyway.

“Our vision is to make Condura Skyway Marathon the premier running event in the Asia Pacific that will attract more tourists, promote health and of course save the environment. This is our own little way of helping promote the country as an exciting eco-sports tourism destination. Running is truly more fun in the Philippines,” said Ton Concepcion, founder and chief organizing officer of Condura Skyway Marathon.

Other backers of the event were presentors Skyway, Asics, Filinvest City and 100 Plus and major sponsors Summit Water, San Miguel Foods, LBC, Soleus, Unilever, Century Tuna, Dole, Akari, Selecta and Pioneer Insurance. Other supporters were media partners Solar Sports, The Philippine STAR, MultiSport, Summit Publishing and Uno Magazine. Hotel and Travel Partners are Crimson Hotel, Bellevue Hotel, Acacia Hotel, Vivere Hotel and AsiaTravel.