Canillo, Yambao rule Pasig marathon

Crisanto Canillo of the Philippine Navy and Liza Yambao of University of Santo Tomas ruled their respective divisions in the third edition of the Pasig River Heritage Marathon which started from Intramuros, Manila and ended in Fort Bonifacio yesterday.

Canillo retained the crown he won last year in two hours, 30 minutes and 22 seconds as he beat Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Rouel Canillo and Melchor Mirasol, who finished second and third with times of 2:31.31 and 2:32.43, respectively.

The Navyman also eclipsed his previous best of 2:35.00 he recorded in last year’s second edition to win the top purse of P50,000. Canillo and Mirasol settled for P30,000 and P20,000, respectively.

Yambao, for her part, clocked 3:13.52 to capture the crown in the distaff side and bag P30,000. She beat Navy’s Estela Mamac (3:18.14) and Melinda Manahan (3:29.58). Mamac received P20,000 while Manahan got P10,000.

Some 300 runners participated in the event which kicked off at the break of dawn in front of the Manila Cathedral Church in Intramuros and ended in Fort Bonifacio.

The 42.195-km race, staged to promote the rehabilitation of the Pasig River as well as uplift the standard of local marathon, took the participants through five key cities and crossed 11 of the 13 bridges traversing the historic river.

Side events such as the 10k Alaska Run, the 5k Enervon C Run and the 3k Kiddie Run spiced up the meet supported by Fort Bonifacio Development Corp., Unilever, Viva Mineral Water, Intramuros Administration, RCBC, San Miguel, DWIZ, Nokia, Du Pont Philippines, Philippine Daily Inquirer, PNP NCRPO, Philippine Army, Caritas Manila, GomBurZa, Parish Pastoral Council, White King Hotcake Mixes and Nestle’s Butterfinger Frothe.

Others which supported the event were Departments of Tourism, Education, Interior and Local Government, and Public Works and Highways, MMDA, Philippine National Red Cross, REACT, Sagip Pasig Movement, Earthday Network, Riverwatch, DZAR, Hands on Manila, Cuase Communication, Maharlika Mountain Rescue, Pamantasan ng Makati, PWU and the local governments of Makati, Mandaluyong, Manila, Marikina, Pasig, Pateros, Quezon City, San Juan and Taguig.