Local bets frolic sans national mainstays in Baguio 10K

Hometown bets Alex Quisay and Marychiel Minas took advantage of the national team mainstays’ absence to rule their respective divisions in last Sunday’s Pharmaton 10 K Run held in Baguio City.

Defending champion Eduardo Buenavista, SEA Games titlist Roy Vence, former Milo Marathon king Allan Ballester, women’s national marathon record holder Cristabel Martes, were not allowed to participate by the Patafa to avoid injuries. The national team is seeing action in the National Open trackfest scheduled May 1-4 in Manila.

Quisay clocked 38 minutes and 38 seconds while Marson Tarcelo and Alunes Pudes timed 38:44 and 39:13 to pocket second and third places, respectively. In the distaff side, Minas led from the start to emerged champion in 47:56. Libranda Tamson was second in 50:27 with Michelle Chung-ao salvaging third place in 50:44.

Race director Raffy Uytiepo together with city sports coordinator Edison Villafuerte, Pharmaton’s Manny Curtina and Samsung’s Rose Hilario awarded the prizes, which included cash, trophies, medals, adidas shoes, Rudy Project eyewear and a Samsung VCD player.

The race was also co-sponsored by Samsung, Rudy Project, Mountain King and Vacation Hotel Baguio while being supported by the Baguio City Emergency Coordinating Group, Red Cross Baguio Chapter, Baguio City National High School, Baguio Tourism Assistance Center and the City of Baguio.