Sevilleno retains women's crown Luterte claims men's open title in Mano Amon anniversary run

Christy Sevilleno of Univeristy of Cebu (UC) successfully defended her championship title even as Gilbert Luterte of University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) claimed the top honors in the men's division in the silver anniversary edition of the Halad Kang Mano Amon Memorial Run on December 24 in Danao City.

Sevilleno collected the women's championship trophy in as many outings, winning the 10-kilometer footrace in 39 minutes and 51 seconds.

She brushed aside the tough challenge of youthful runner Joeyrey Ann Lee of Toledo City, who kept on trailing her in most part of the race only to wither in the final stretch to wind up second in 40 minutes and 11 seconds.

A far third was Salazar Institute of Technology teacher Merlita Arias with a time of 42 minutes and 13 seconds.

Completing the top five finishers were another veteran runner Camila Luterte, the mother of men's open champion Gilbert and adventure racer Mylene Jarina.

Gilbert, on the other hand, stamped his class over archrival Mendel Lopez of University of Southern Philippines-Foundation (USP-F) and Joseph Penales of Bohol to grab the top plum in the men's open.

Gilbert had to summon all his wits to finish the race in 33 minutes and 34 seconds, nipping Lopez, who came in two seconds later.

Penales clocked 34 minutes and 9 seconds for third place.

The other finishers were Miljune Luterte of UC (35.45), Eugene Delposo of USP-F (36.25), Rustico Lagaylay of UC (36.38), Virgilio Belecario, Jr. of UC (36.41), Charlie Berberio (38.00), Omar Sinal (38.13) and Abdul Jabbar Sinal (39.44).

The top finishers in the 3-kilometer run were Jennifer Montero (girls) and Juphet Rivera (boys) while the 5K run saw the victories of Richard Sabas and Shiela Batoon in the high school division, Jose Monna and Flordelis Panot in the college level, John Philip Duenas and Cynthia Bataluna in the Danao residents and Celestino Guiao in the executive division.

The race also saw the participation of Senator Pia Cayetano who ran the full 10-kilometer distance with Southeast Asian Games cross-country mountainbike gold medallist Maritess Bitbit.

Danao City Mayor Ramon "Nito" Durano III and his children, lead by Rep. Red Durano and Department of Tourism secretary Joseph "Ace" Durano, finished the 5K race.

The top three finishers received cash prizes.