Vence, Delfin post runaway wins

Veterans Roy Vence and Lisa Delfin lost their way early in the race but led all the way through 11 climbs along the banks of a foul-smelling river to rule the fourth staging of the Pasig River Heritage Marathon yesterday.

Following a motorcycle escort who showed the lead pack the wrong route in the first five kilometers of the race from the Manila Cathedral in Intramuros, Vence said he ran about seven extra kilometers more than the 42.125 km marathon but none among the field of over 400 runners ever came close enough to challenge the Antipolo native who finished fifth in last year’s Southeast Asian Games marathon in Vietnam.

"Kaya ko pa pala," said Vence, who clocked 2:33.51 on a route that snaked through five key cities and traversed 11 bridges to the finish line at The Fort.

The search for a first crown in the event which drew a record 2,700 runners appeared easier for Vence in the absence of two-time winner Crisanto Canillo. Reynaldo de los Reyes of the Army was five minutes behind in 2:38.51.

Delfin, the 1995 Milo national marathon champion, was also shown the wrong way by escorts at the Luneta but her staying power was just too much for the heady bunch of challengers, the worthiest of whom was Melinda Manahan, who arrived five minutes behind.

Delfin, who toughens up in her secret training camp at the Quezon Memorial Circle and the UP campus during early morning hours thrice a week, showed no signs of fatigue in ruling the distaff side in 3:27.51.

The PRHM, the only Philippine footrace held from point to point, had its share of finish line woes anew as runners stormed the officials’s tent demanding the disqualification of competitors who negotiated parts of the route aboard a jeep.

"Kulang ang marshals, kaya sa daan kami na rin a nagpapahinto sa mga sasakyan para kami makaraan," said Delfin. "Pero kahit naligaw kami at medyo humaba ang route, inisip ko lang na para lang ako nag-titrain ng four hours."

For all its limitations, the Pasig River Heritage Run succeeded in its more important mission of calling national attention to the need for a sustained rehabilitation of the Pasig River.

Former President Fidel V. Ramos led fun runners in the 5K run while former First Lady Amelita "Ming" Ramos. chairperson of the Clean and Green Foiundation, was on hand to thank supporters of the project she launched during the Ramos administration.

Also present during the awarding ceremonies were Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission chair Emllia BOncodin and MMDA chairman Bayani Fernando.

PRHM chairman Hermie Esguerra thanked the runners in all the divisions for choosing to run in the Pasig River Heritage Marathon.

"Most races end at the finish line. But this race for the sustained rehabilitation of the Pasig River will continue to run beyond the finish line. There is a purity of intention in this advocacy run," he said.

The PRHM is an advocacy program organized by the Clean & Green Foundation, Inc. to support the government’s program to rehabilitate the Pasig River through the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission (PRRC). Groups like the DOT, DOTC, MMDA, the PNP, the Philippine Army, Caritas Manila, Gomburza, REACT Phils., Phil. National Red Cross, Sagip Pasig Movement, PATAFA, the Herma Group are supporting the project.

The marathon was supported by Colgate-Palmolive, Phils., Herma Group of Companies, Unilever Philippines, DuPont Philippines, SM Foundation, Purefoods Hotdogs, Avia Shoes, Philippine Plastic Industries Association, Polystyrene Packaging Council of the Philippines, Fibisco Biscuits, Splash Foundation and Spyder Sunglasses.

The second to fifth placers: Reynaldo de los Reyes (2:38:51), Mamerto Corpuz, Jr. (2:39:45), Rolando Cedrillo (2:44:57), Romeo Marquez (2:47:47); (women) Melinda Manahan (3:38:41), Jona Atienza (3:52:49), Mila Pave (3:54:06), Enate Sayrol (3:58:04).