Queen Merlita reigns, Arias-Dunkin wins all-Women ultramarathon

CEBU, Philippines - Merlita Arias-Dunkin etched her name in stone after winning the country's first ever all-Women 50K Ultramarathon, which started late the other night at The Terraces of Ayala Center Cebu and ended early yesterday morning at the Carancho Beach Resort in Mactan Island.

Arias-Dunkin, who had long been into running before switching his focus to trail run, completed the lung-busting race in only five hours, 28 minutes and 56 seconds. She did it without the aid of male pacers.

The little-known Virginia Parajenog finished second with a 5:30.32 clocking, while Tessie Escarinas wound up third with the time of 5:49.18.

Janet Legaspi placed fourth in 6:02.50 followed by Cynthia Arnaiz in 6:02.50.

Rounding up the top 10 cast of the all-female action organized by the Cebu Ultra Runners Club and Ungo Runners’ Club were Margarette Jaranilla (6:03:22), Odiza Abellana (6:03.52), Analisa Dacayana (6:05:05), Maria Glen Pontanar (6:06.09) and Mary Anne Buac (6:07.40).

Those who made it to the top 20 were Kathy Kuan, Menchie Dizon,Preciosa Sanchez, Path Torremoro, Rowena Duarte, Marina Lipardo, June-Marq Ocana, Ma Sherina Advincula, Susana Militante, and Marivic Yu.

Tri-media personality Haide Acuña took it easy this time as she is still recovering from the grueling 160K Ultramarathon in Bataan recently. She crossed the finish line in 7:51:05.

Anne Susada was the last runner to make the cut-off time of 10 hours, just 10 seconds before the limit. - THE FREEMAN