Kenyan, Davaoeña rule 1st Talisay Marathon

CEBU, Philippines- Kenyan Douglas Mwiti and Davao’s Ruffa Sorongon carved their names in stone as the first champions of the 1st Talisay City Marathon yesterday.

Mwiti dominated the men's open 42-kilometer action with the best time of two hours, 49 minutes and 21 seconds. He was way ahead of second placer Michael Largo, who clocked in 2:53:10, as Joveniano Villasor wound up in 2:54:12.

Rounding up the top 10 cast in the men's division were Deserio Engbino (3:14:36), Jeboy Magbologtong (3:29:20), Christian Cubillas (3:29:23), Jack Neil Labajo (3:25:57), Carlomanne Abapo (3:35:59), and Jun Larida (3:37:80).

In the women's side, Sorongon crossed the finish line first in 3:26.46. She beat ultra marathoner Virgie Parajenog, who timed 3:51:28, while the little-known Frijie Laude took the third place honors in 4:53:12.

The fourth to 10th finishers were Mitos Gurrea Ente (4:59:17), Gemma Custodio (5:04:05), Edna Gerali (5:06:04), Medelyn Tacaldo (5:08:22), Desiree Del Rosario (5:10:16), Rheb Regis (5:10:25), and Hanna Huang with 5:20:02.

Another Kenyan, Abraham Missos, and Amale Mendezona-Jopson grabbed part of the limelight by winning the 21K half-marathon.

Missos touched down the finish line in 1:20:48 followed by Azlan Pagay (1:21:43) and Robert Daang (1:22:38).

Mendezona-Jopson, a finisher at the Boston Marathon, ruled the women's 21K race with a time of 1:55:37. Grae Dapanas claimed the second spot in 2:00:13 as Rosalie Ardiente placed third in 2:11:19.

Prince Prince Joey Lee outsmarted John Daryl Manos by just 39 seconds, 17:10 as against Manos' 17:49, to win the men’s 5K action as Ronnie Andrin ended third.

However, Ronnie’s sisters Lovely Fe and Cherry posted a 1-2 finish in the women's class with the time of 22:07 and 22:08, respectively. Geniecel Saballa settled for third in 24:16. (FREEMAN)