Stags Run: Nabong, Tarayao up

MANILA, Philippines - National junior standout Vincent Jacob Nabong and fitness enthusiast Coleen Tarayao topped 10-kilometer race of San Sebastian College-Recoletos Manila’s 5th Stags Run, which drew a record attendance at the Plaza Rajah Sulayman at the Baywalk in Roxas Boulevard fronting the scenic Manila Bay yesterday.

It was the first 10-km race victory for Nabong, 16, after setting Palarong Pambansa records in the 800-m (2.07.12) and 1,500-m (4.28.52) in the elementary divisions in this annual race that sought to generate funds for the school’s charity and missionary works here and abroad.

“This is my first time to win,” said Nabong, who was part of the team that represented the country in the ASEAN School Games here last month, in Filipino. 

Nabong, a fourth year high school student at San Sebastian, said his decision to jump from 5k last year to 10k this year was the right one.

“I won in the 5k last year so I decided to join in the 10k this year. I’m glad I made the jump,” he added.

San Sebastian rector  Fr. Christopher Maspara, OAR, and vice president and the race’s overall chair Joel Alve, OAR, were there to award the winners of the race, which drew a record of almost 5,000 runners, surpassing marks in the first four editions.

“We’re happy with the turnout and this will go a long, long way to fund our missionary works here and in other countries,” said Maspara.

Blaise San Miguel finished second while Karl Tadeo third to Nabong while Pauline Manglo and Jasmine Victory wound up runners up to Tarayao in the distaff side of this race that served as the culminating event of San Sebastian’s 74th Founding Anniversary.