2005 Cebu Midnight run: Lumindas-Getaruelas, Reli share top honors

New champions emerged when the dust settled down in the 2005 edition of the Cebu Midnight Run held December 18 at the Cebu Business Park.

Aerobics instructor Leszl Lumindas-Getaruelas and Rogelio Reli of the Philippine Army took contrasting routes to victory as they claimed the championship title in their respective divisions.

Lumindas-Getaruelas grabbed the women's open title in her first attempt, stunning defending champion Christy Sevilleno of University of Cebu, who was bidding to take her fourth consecutive tiara.

The 31-year old Lumindas-Getaruelas, coming off from a Christmas party in Ayala, finished the five-kilometer race in 19 minutes and 5.36 seconds.

Sevilleno wound up second in 19:09.57 and new-comer Nina Adan was third with a time of 19:13.28.

Joery Ann Lee settled for fourth in 19:19.19 while Salazar Institute of Technology's Merlita Arias was fifth in 21:04.54.

Rounding up the top 10 cast in the women's division were Sharon Vega (21:09.61), Mary Rose Arman (21:55.19), Claire Maranga (24:34.17), Antonette Malazarte (26:04.60) and Christina Lamparas in 26:41.96.

Reli, on the other hand, finally snatched the men's open title after three attempts.

However, the victory of the former UC Webmaster stalwart did not came easy as he had to battle down the wire, the stiff opposition of eventual runners up Gilbert Luterte and Riez Enriquez.

Reli had to summon all the energy he could muster to get the crown, sprinting in the last 80 meters of the race to get past Enriquez, who was leading in the race.

He closed his bid with a time of 15:50.68 as Luterte came in 15:50.70.

Enriquez settled for third in 15:50.73.

University Southern Philippines-Foundation's Mendel Lopez ended his quest at fourth place with 16:17.44.

The fifth to 10th placers in the men's action were Adonis Singson (16:30.30), Eugene Delposo (16:37.93), Roland Montebon (16:48.32), Joseph Penales (16:53.71), Miljune Luterte (17:11.58) and Philip Duenas (17:17.32).