Nationals dominate Microsoft 8-mile race

MANILA, Philippines - National team members dominated the Microsoft Internet Explorer 8-Mile Run in the out-and-back course of the emerging sporting hub of Metro Manila, Fort Bonifacio Global City, as two-time Olympian Eduardo Buenavista and former Asian Marathon Championships silver medalist Christabel Martes shared the top honors in their divisions yesterday morning.

Over 2,000 runners joined the race in spite of the rainy weather where all finishers were treated to a raffle for an HP Mini Note laptop, HTC Windows Mobile phone, and Microsoft Zune and other minor prizes. 

Kids and their families who joined the race frolicked in the giant inflatable slides put up by Microsoft and partook of foods from various concessionaires in the Fort Bonifacio Global City.

Buenavista, 30, took the easy win in the men’s Open 12.87-km race in 43 minutes, 11 seconds to pocket the P8,000 top prize. Upcoming runner Darwin Lim placed second (45:21) and veteran Bernardo Desamito Jr. was third (45:27).

Martes, 29, topped the female division in 51:31 while multi-titled Ailene Tolentino (55:03) and triathlete Monica Torres (55:59) finished second and third.

Gracing the awarding ceremonies were officials of Microsoft Philippines led by windows client product manager Chay Saputil. Saputil said funds obtained from this event held in partnership with Pocket Rocket, Mizuno and Fitness First, will be donated to the Child Protection Program of the United Nations’ Children’s Fund (Unicef).