Poliquit, Tolentino top Run United marathon

MANILA, Philippines - Rafael Poliquit Jr. put on a strong finishing kick to edge Mario Maglinao for the men’s 42k crown while Aileen Tolentino outclassed the field in the women’s side in the final leg of Unilab Active Health’s Run United Series at the Mall of Asia grounds in Pasay City yesterday.

Poliquit turned in a 2:50:21 clocking to rule the Enervon Activ men’s category among local runners, nipping Maglinao, who timed 2:51:48 while Rene Desuyo came in third in 2:53:16.

Tolentino, on the other hand, stamped her class in the 42k women’s category, submitting a 3:31:56 clocking to beat Cinderella Lorenzo (3:35:42) and Jocelyn Elijeran (3:40:24).

The Kenyans, meanwhile, dominated the 42k foreign men’s section with Jackson Chirchir clinching top honors in 2:29:00. Elphiz Kiptarus clocked 2:34:02 for second while John Samoel placed third in 2:41:11.

Another Kenyan, Irine Kipchumba, ruled the women’s division with a 3:00:12 clocking with Belgium’s Isabelle Marfko struggling to finish second in 4:13:06 while Malaysia’s Silamie Apolistar timed 4:30:39 for third.

Anthony Nerza clocked 1:23:55 to top the Alaxan FR 21k men’s category, beating Andrico Mahilum (1:25:38) and Juan Gabriel Velasco (1:29:48) while Criselyn Jaro took the women’s plum in 1:34:30 with Victoria Calma finishing second in 1:52:02 and Jennelyn Isibido clocking 1:54:28 for third.

Richard Salanio took the Enervon HP 10k crown with a 0:32:26 clocking, edging Eliud Kering, who had 0:32:38, and Blair McWhirter, who timed 0:33:01, while Marion Kim Mangrobang reigned in the distaff side in 0:40:53, defeating Cellie Rose Jaro and Janette Lumidao, who clocked 0:42:37 and 0:44:08, respectively.

The final stage of the three-leg RUPM 2014 drew over 12,000 running aficionados while those completing all the 21km and up distance categories in all Run United races earning the “United” medal, a three-part finisher’s medal that can be put together to form a single medal.

Meanwhile, the Unilab Active Health will hold the Tri United 3 on Oct. 26 in Subic while the Tri United 4 will be held Nov. 24 at Fontana in Clark, Pampanga. For details and updates, visit www.unilabactivehealth.com or www.runrio.com.