Tabac, Miranda top Siargao marathon

MANILA, Philippines - Seasoned runners Elias Tabac of Bayugan City and Judelyn Miranda of Davao City topped the first Siargao Mangrove Marathon held recently in Del Carmen town in Siargao Island, Surigao Del Norte.

Tabac and Miranda, both frequent qualifiers to the Milo Marathon and other national running events, clocked 1:23.24 and 1:41.20, respectively, to rule the men and women’s divisions in the 21-km run.

Miranda also finished fifth overall in the half marathon presented by Philex Mining Corp. and Metro Pacific Investment Corp (MPIC).

Completing the winning circle are Eris Aclo and Remegio Sili Jr. in the men’s category and Michel Aclo and Cynthia Escasiñas in the women’s category.

The fun sporting event is part of Shore It Up, a corporate social responsibility program of the MVP Group of Companies which seeks to rescue, restore and revive the underwater and coastal ecosystems of selected areas in the country.

The fun run also included a 5-km run which drew more than 300 runners to promote awareness and conservation of Del Carmen’s 4,100-hectare mangrove forest reserve, one of the Philippines’ biggest.

Organized by Without Limits and Siargao Adventure, the Municipality of Del Carmen, the Province of Surigao Del Norte, the First District Congressional Office, Siargao Tourism Development Council, and Cebu Pacific Air, the marathon also held 1-km run for elementary school boys and girls.

The mini-marathon is also supported by PLDT Smart Foundation, One Meralco Foundation, SPI Global, Maynilad, The Philippine Star, TV5, Nature Spring, Eco-Coral, Deep Outdoors and E & S Adventure.