Freeman Cebu Sports

Tabal blitzes to victory in SM2SM Run

February 23, 2015 | 12:00am

CEBU, Philippines – There's really no stopping the Los Angeles-bound Mary Joy Tabal from dominating one race after the other, this time wining the all-Filipino women's 21K crown of the 2015 SM2SM Run yesterday at SM City-Cebu.

Tabal, who is set to compete in the LA Marathon next month as incentive for defending her crown in the National Milo Marathon last year, touched down the finish line with the best time of one hour, 12 minutes and 19 seconds among female entries in the half marathon race.

Mary Grace de los Santos came out second with the time of 1:23:32, while Christabel Martes wound up third in 1:27:23 followed by Jennylyn Nobleza with 1:30:36 clocking.

Overall, Tabal placed second to Kenyan Irene Kipchumba, while Susan Chepkwony landed at third overall and second in the foreign division.

In the men's side, reigning Milo Marathon king Raphael Poliquit, Jr. lorded it over with the time of 1:09:38.

Ireneo Raquin, another Manila-based runner, finished second in 1: 09:54 and Eric Panique third in 1:10:09. Former Olympian Eduardo Buenavista could only make it to fourth place with the time of 1:11: 45.

The foreign category of the men's 21K saw Kenyans Alex Melly, Willy Tanui and Elphiz Kiptarus completed a clean ocuppying the 1-2-3 spots respectively.

In the men's 12K, Joebert Carolino came out on top in 40:32 followed by Elmer Bartolo (40:53) and Jordan Bac-ong (41:04).

Ruffa Sorongon grabbed the women's 12K title in 49:08. Lovely Fe Andrin was second in 50:24 as Jhanine Mansueto landed third in 50:43.

In the 12K battle among foreigners, Jackson Chirchir took the top spot in 37:11 followed by Abraham Missos (40:48) and James Mebei (42:07). The distaff side had Kenyans Kemboi Patrober, Mae Cherryl Wuttke and Shiori Momoi occupying the top three spots.

The top three in the men's 6K were John Darryl Manus (9:42.93), Michael Largo (20:09:21), and Robert Daang (20:30.41). The women's class had Cherry Andrin (24:05.93), Keisha Mae Delechos (25:01.85) and Irish Delechos (25:48.88) at the podium. (FREEMAN)