The FREEMAN 10-K run: Webmasters rule

Roland Montebon of University of Cebu (UC) scored his first major victory even as another UC stalwart Christy Sevilleno reaffirmed her dominance as Cebu's Queen of the Road in The Freeman's 86th Anniversary 10-kilometer run yesterday at the Cebu Business Park.

Montebon warded off the tough challenge posed by Joseph Penales of Bohol and Adonis Singson as the 19-year old a criminology student of UC picked up speed halfway in the race.

From the Cebu Provincial Capitol, Montebon never looked back to take top plum in the men's open division, covering the 10-kilometer distance in 32 minutes and 1.69 seconds.

Penales wound up second in 32:55.69 and Singson placed third in 33:17.07.

Top bet Mendel Lopez of University of Southern Philippines (USP) failed to score his third straight victory as he is still recovering from flu. He dropped to ninth place overall with a time of 35:27.36.

Completing the top finishers were Miljone Luterte of UC (33:51.14), Ramil Lumindas (34:18.55), John Duenas (34:28.41), Rusty Lagaylay, of UC (34:34.87), Greg Canumay (34:41.46) and Jeppy Lumongsod, of UC (35:34.95).

Sevilleno, on the other hand, was in her usual fighting form to take the women's division crown, clocking 37 minutes and 58.48 seconds.

Liezel Gitaruelas was second in 38:37.59 and Joeyry Ann Lee of Toledo City was third in 40:16.60.

The top 10 finishers were Merlita Arias (43:08.21), Jennifer Montebon (43:08.59), Jovelyn Nisas (45:14.76), Gina Sayloon (46:05.35), Claire Maranga (49:27.37), Rachel Genegobis (49:49.63) and Anna Bea Quijano of Sacred Heart for Girls (51:05.65).

Meanwhile, three other runners also shared the limelight in the affair which is held as part of the activities in the 86th year anniversary of The Freeman.

They are Rening Ylaya, the oldest runner and 9-years old Jovilyn Misas and Gina Sayloon as the youngest runners. All three finished the 10-kilometer distance race.

In the 3-kilometer category for The Freeman employees, assistant sports editor Rafael S. Alas III took the championship title followed by Dino Tantan and Ulysses G. Esles.

All the top three winners received cash prizes and plaques.

General manager Melandro Mendoza of The Freeman newspaper, which is a member of the Philippine Star Group of Publications, and Tina Poblador, the advertising manager, joined race director Raffy Uytiepo in awarding the prizes to the winners.

There were also prizes, which were raffled off to the participants and employees.

The event was officiated by the Cebu Amateur Track and Field Association under DepEd supervisor Danilo Villadolid and Team Cebu City athletics coach Precing Capangpangan.