Amateur boxer steals show in MAPFRE Run

CEBU, Philippines – Ian Refuela, one of Cebu's top amateur boxers, stamped his athletic prowess anew but this time not in the ring but on the road as he topped the 3-kilometer boys category of the 3rd MAPFRE Run For Road Safety yesterday at the Plaza Independencia.

What seemed to be just a cross-training turned out well for Refuela on the competitive side as the Philippine National Games medallist won the race with the time of nine minutes and 55.10 seconds. Fritz Anor came in second at 10:10.41 followed by Rolan Batiancila in 10:18.12.

Mary Joy Loberanes reigned supreme in the girls class with a 11:46.96 clocking. Cheryl Leslie Co timed 16:04.34, good for a second place finish as Dania Gabriella Jabines settled for third in 17:57.46.

The all-student 3K action saw Gerald Baloro coming out on top with the time of 14:11.86. Alvin Emperia landed at second in 14:13.36, while Jay Mark Bangalisan took the third spot in 14:2.83. The top three in the distaff side were Arnie Abundo (19:07.14), Nermarie Abrasado (19:08.18), and Jennebeth Fortez (19:09.73).

In the premiere 12K open category, Robert Daang and Ruffa Sorongon dominated their respective classes. Daang submitted the best time of 41 minutes and 16.81 seconds among the male entries followed by Paul James Zafico (42:15.42) and the returning Elmer Bartolo (43:04.38).

Sorongon lorded it over in the women's bracket with the time of 50:33.42. She was six minutes ahead of Lovely Fe Andrin (56:05.35) as Sara Lee Cuizon placed third in 5:28.91.

In the men's 6K battle, Michael Largo touched down the finish line first in 20:45.42 as Riez Enriquez and Reprinel Banzon settled for second and third with the time of 21:15.19 and 21:20.43, respectively. The top three among the female participants were Cherry Andrin (26:36.18), Carla Cosep (29:27.62), and  Soletaire Rallos (35:50.75). (FREEMAN)