Arias-Dunkin got lost 3 times, but still wins Columbia trail run

CEBU, Philippines - Merlita Arias-Dunkin got lost in the race route three times, but amazingly caught up with the leading runner in the last two kilometers to complete a grandslam feat via the sixth leg of Columbia Eco Trail Run yesterday in the municipality of Carmen.

Even if she emerged triumphant, Arias-Dunkin was so dissappointed to have been lost, not once but thrice for the first time in all events she joined in.

Arias-Dunkin told The FREEMAN that she got lost in the first turn then the second near a telecom tower before she decided to stop in a cave and ask where to turn around and get back on the right track.

 "I wasn't expecting anything anymore so I just decided to walk, pace a little and just enjoy the trek when in the last two kilometers I got lucky to catch up with Christy (Sevilleno-Tutor) and Madelyn (Carter) and eventually beat them," said Arias-Dunkin.

Arias-Dunkin finished the 15K action in two hours and 56 minutes, while Sevilleno-Tutor settled for second with the time of 2:57:12 followed by Carter in 2:57:28.

Arias-Dunkin earlier dominated the Kalunasan and Liloan legs of this event.

In the men's side, Kenyan Francis Kakui claimed the top spot in 2:19:38 followed by Bonifacio Monjas (2:27:27) and Elvin Rey Flores (2:40:20).

In executive division following a shorter course, Hannah Go posted the best time of 48 minutes and 13 seconds to clinch the women's title, while Amale Jopson finished third in 1:02:23 followed by Karen Nulada (1:10). The top three in the men's division were Paul Morris (33:19), Michael Largo (34:10) and Kenyan Abraham Missos (36:06). - THE FREEMAN