Daang, Oporto rule 3rd Labor Day 65K ultra race

CEBU, Philippines - Noted long distance runners Robert Daang and Rhodora Oporto stamped their respective classes in the 3rd Labor Day Coast to Coast 65K Ultramarathon that started late Saturday night at the Cebu Provincial Capitol grounds and ended Sunday noon at the Barba Sports Complex in Toledo City via the Trancentral Highway.

Out of the 93 starters, a total of 66 solo entries completed the grueling race of endurance, stamina and mental toughness led by Daang, who submitted the best time of six hours, 31 minutes and two seconds.

Herman Quanico wound up second in the men's division with the time of six hours, 57 minutes and 20 seconds followed by Jimmy Yu and Jack Neil Labajo at third and fourth with 7:31:25 and 7:36:33 clockings, respectively.

Rounding up the top 12 were Melandro Cuyos (7:37:49), Jason Rodriguez (7:58:30), Mark Maloloy-on (8:26:18), Ernie Saavedra (8:26:19), Wilmar Saavedra (8:26:20), Calixto Lamonte (8:18:15), Samuel Stevens (8:27:01) and Josephus Ortega (8:34:23).

Oporto, on the other hand, came out the fastest among female participants, even beating a bunch of male runners to settle at 13th place overall with the time of eight hours, 36 minutes and 55 seconds.

Frijie Laude took the first runner-up honors in the women's side with the time of 9:11:43, while Jocelyn Grimard came in third in 10:31:50.

Those who made it to the top 20 list overall were Patrick Manulat (8:41:00), Cilu Joel Ouano (8:47:20), Andrew Alberto (9-hour flat), Romil Garces (9:11:42), Avelino Cabales, Jr. (9:12:35) and James Francis Aguas (9:16:41).

In the relay category, Noel Tillor and Mohammad Sherwin Managil claimed the top spot with an aggregate time of six hours, 31 minutes and one second.

Saturnino Goles and Johnreil Goles were a distant second in 8:12:39, while Melanie Mares and June Maro Ocaña copped the third place trophy in 8:27:40.

The fourth to fifth were the tandems of Mariel Cimafranca/Ceasar Real (8:58:12), Elmer Misa/Roland Caneda (9:34:24) and Jay Gatchalian/Ed Sherwin Llanes (10:16:25).

Organized by the FrontRunner Magazine in partnership with the Province of Cebu and the City of Toledo, the event was made possible through the support of Smart Communications, A Runner’s Circle-Cebu, Grace Ruperto, Jidan Jakosalem and Garry Garcia. (FREEMAN)