Sevillano, Ballester top Cebu run

CEBU CITY–Local favorite Christy Sevillano and Southeast Asian Games king Allan Ballester lived up to expectations and asserted their supremacy of the Cebu City 25km marathon held here recently.

Sevillano, escorted by a male running buddy, met little opposition as she cruised to the finish in one hour and 44.02 minutes to retain the women’s crown in the well-attended event envisioned to become a full marathon and known all over the world.

Ballester of the Philippine Navy kept the men’s open crown with the best clocking of 1:23.28 to bring home a handsomely crafted trophy, a new pair of shoes and P30,000 cash prize. Coming in at second and third were Philippine Army’s Cresencio Sabal and Crisanto Canillo, respectively.

Veteran Roy Vence, visibly spent following his recent victory in the grueling 42-km Heritage Marathon in Pasig City, settled for fourth place.

Sevillano, an education student at the University of Cebu, became P20,000 richer and boosted his stock in her bid to enter big running competitions in the future.

At far second was Davao City’s Stella Diaz-Mamac (1:46.42) who was also last year’s runner-up.

The top 30 finishers in both the men’s and womens’ category received cash prizes courtesy of the Cebu City government through the Cebu City Sports Commission headed by Jonathan Guardo.

"We envision the Tri-City to become a big, international marathon event. We’re not in a hurry and we’re making encouraging progress," said Guardo.