Buenavista, Tolentino shine in Mizuno Infinity Run

MANILA, Philippines - Eduardo “Vertek” Buenavista headed out of the portalet to overtake lead runners before the turning point to capture the men’s division title, while Ailene Tolentino succesfully defended her women’s title in the third Mizuno Infinity Run 2009 presented by Gatorade at the Bonifacio Global City yesterday.

Scoring his second victory in two weeks after topping the Microsoft Internet Explorer 8-Mile Run also at the same venue, the 30-year-old native of Sto. Niño, South Cotabato looked like he would lose the race as he dropped behind at the start to go to the portalet (comfort room) to relieve himself.

He caught up with the field in the 6K mark before grabbing the lead from fellow multi-titled runners Alquin Bolivar and Rene Desuyo.

“It was a call of nature. It’s good I was in peak condition for the run,”said Buenavista after negotiating the centerpiece 15-km footrace with a time of 51 minutes, 18 seconds to pocket the P5,000 cash prize.

Bolivar and Desuyo came in second and third, respectively, in 52:46 and 53:02 and went home with P3,000 and P1,000 plus medals.

The awards were presented by Mizuno Corporation Asia-Oceania sports division senior manager Kiyoshi Tatani, who was assisted by David John Lovell Gopez, president of Master Sports Corporation, Paolo Cagalingan, general manager, May Bernad, head of the Mizuno running division and Run and Compete Events’ Rudy Biscocho, who organized the 3-in-1 road race.

 In the distaff side, Tolentino, 21, of Cagayan de Oro, defeated Maricel Maquilan in a photo-finish and won with an identical time of 1:01:31. Upcoming Flordeliza Donos checked in third in 1:04:14.

The three got the same prizes as their male counterparts. 

The event was supported by Mail and More, Starbucks, BMG Solar, CITGO lubricants and Beeline Helicopters. 

“I’m glad I won the second time. I’m improving a lot this year,” said Tolentino, a fourth year criminology student at the De La Salle University-Dasmariñas in Cavite.

The top three winners in the side event 10k were Elmer Sabal (33:02), Darwin Lim (33:07) and Bernardo Desamito, Jr (33:33) while winers in the women’s side were Janette Lumidao (43:00), Hazel Madamba (44:10) and Rowena Francisco (50:15). They pocketed P3,000, P2,000 and P1,000, respectively, including medals.

Christopher Ulboc, Jr. (15:00), Nelbert Ducusin (15:59) and Benjamin Alejandrino, Jr. (16:02) took the the top three places in the 5k male and received P3,000, P1,500 and P500.

Winners in the women’s category were Nhea Ann Barcena (19:28), Michelle de Vera (21:35) and Jonie Mellinger (23:48).