Duenas, De los Santos rule UTAFA race

CEBU - Southwestern University’s Philip Duenas and Mary Grace de los Santos of Zamboanga outsmarted the rest of the seasoned runners amidst heavy downpour to rule the UTAFA 10-K Road Race Hurdle to Run yesterday.

Duenas, who was first heard of after topping the Cebu leg of the 2006 Milo Marathon, completed the race, which was toughened up by three hurdles placed in every 2.5 kilometers, in 38 minutes and 27.15 seconds.

Zamboanga’s Moh Sherwin Managil settled for second placed with the time of 38:32, while University of Southern Philippines Foundation’s Eugene Delposo came out third in 38:35.12. Another SWU runner Ian Bernido placed fourth in 38:33.16.

Rounding up the top 10 finishers were University of Cebu’s Meljun Luterte (39:15.26), Jess Gonzaga of SWU (39:39.57), Revodem Aranas (39:44.35), Ramie Lawas of the Cebu Road Runners Club (41:08.94), USPF’s Joel Delposo (41:28.01), and Felix Lopez (41:40.13).

In the distaff side, De los Santos outsmarted Cebu’s road running queen Leizl Lumindas-Gitaruelas in the final 50 meters to clinch the women's tiara.

Delos Santos won in 45:32.51, while Gitaruelas clocked in 45:41.13. The best placed Cebuana in this year's Milo Marathon national finals, Madelyn Carter, landed third in 46:29.27.

Completing the top 10 performers were University of Cebu’s Vlessica Jagna (48:30.15), SWU’s Miscelle Gilbuena (48:51.59), Lapu-lapu’s Mary Jane Beboso (50:49.87), UC’s Sheena Gacayan(51:26.59) and Jade Marie Recto (51:26.59), ANS’ Haziel Retavale (52:52.55), and Merlita Arias (53:12.41).

In the battle of the best among clubs in this Jonathan Guardo-backed event, the Sunday Runners Club had a 1-2-3 finish in Alfetche Mangaron, Roel Zaratan and Toto Casiple.

North Road Runners Club’s Wilfredo Inaro, Vincent Cuesta, and Prudencio Igot got the fourth, fifth and sixth ports, while the next three seats were taken by Sundays Runners Club's Pedro Alcoseno, Rudy Ravina, and Rex Cababan. NEC’s Steve Jao landed at 10th place. – THE FREEMAN