Don Sergio Osmeña Sr. 10K Run: Lopez, De los Santos dominate

CEBU, Philippines - Mendel Lopez and Mary Grace de los Santos once again stamped their respective classes in dominating fashion, this time in the 09-09-09 edition of the Don Sergio Osmeña Sr. 10K Run yesterday at the Cebu City Sports Center.

Lopez ruled the men’s open division with the time of 32 minutes and 51.71 seconds. He bested Ben Alejandrino of Manila, who clocked in 33:14.06, while Crifrankreadel Indapan of Bukidnon landed third in 33:15.65.

Three Davaoeños occupied the next three seats in Fernando Subayno (33:31.45), Elmer Bartolo (34:12.71) and Angelito Sebayan (34:49.16).

Rounding up the top 10 cast were Adonis Singson (34:58.11), Joel Delposo (35:08.86), Revodem Aranas (35:20.02) and another Danao runner Jobert Carolino (36:21.85).

De los Santos, on the other hand, immediately made an impact in her first entry in the annual race held in memory of the well-loved Grand Old Man of Cebu, the late Sergio Osmeña, Sr.

The 22-year-old De los Santos bagged the women’s tiara with the time of 38 minutes and 25.65 seconds, edging out her closest pursuer Madelyn Carter by a mile. Carter strolled into the finish line in 42:16.36.

Carter was satisfied of her performance though as she outpaced defending champion Estella Mamac-Diaz, who was relegated to third with the time of 43:24.62.

“I wasn’t expecting to be at second place. I’m just lucky today,” Carter said.

Southwestern University’s Miscelle Gilbuena wound up fourth in 43:40.6, while Mary Joy Tabal (45:29.70), Aiza Suwaybaguio (45:59.80) and Joeyry Lee (46:00.94) filled in the fifth to seventh spots.

The return of Cebu’s Queen of the Road Leiszl Lumindas-Gitaruelas was a bit painful as she placed just eighth with a 46:38.44 clocking. She almost passed out in the final 10 meters of the race and was aided by her friends in crossing the finish line.

Gerly Bayron came out ninth in 48:46.31, while former top swimmer-turned triathlete Lorhiz Echavez made it to the top 10 with the time of 48:52.85.

Allan Polinar topped the masters A in 37:23.22 as Jesie Misa wound up second in 40:37.42 followed by Edgardo Carabuena in 42:13.07.

Tomas Nuñez won the masters B in 40:06.12 over Virgilio Belecario (42:19.86), while Banzon ruled masters C in 40:32.71 over Marcos Pelare (45:09.09). Aldolfo Camello lorded it over in masters D with a 45:41.22 clocking followed by Democrito Branzuela (47:24.43) and Jun Taneo (48:02.80). (FREEMAN NEWS)