Herrera rules Yakult 10-Miler

MANILA, Philippines - Four-time Southeast Asian Games steeplechase gold medalist Rene Herrera and veteran runner Maricel Maquilan topped the 21st Yakult 10-Miler yesterday at the Cultural Center of the Philippines Complex grounds in Pasay.

Herrera claimed the title for the first time in four tries as he pulled away from a lead group of runners inside the final kilometer of the 16-kilometer (10-mile) foot race and crossed the finish line in 53 minutes, 23 seconds.

Also in the lead pack are second placer and two-time former champion Bernardo Desamito Jr. (53:31), Ben Alejandrino (54:02), Darwin Lim (54:12) and Cresenciano Sabal (54:29).

Maquilan led from start to finish to rule the distaff side for the second time in 1:05:14. Placing second and third in the women’s race were triathlete Monica Torres (1:07:37) and Kenyan Susan Chepkwony (1:10:23).

For the win, Herrera and Maquilan each went home with the P10,000 cash prize, trophy and gift pack from Yakult, the health drink with Lacto Bacilli Shirota Strain.

Topping the 5K side event were Roger Denolo (16:59), Wenlie Maulas (17:09) and Ricky Acosta (18:20) in the men’s and Ailene Tolentino (22:11), Ellen Tolentino (22:19) and Merlyn Quillo (26:24) in the women’s side.

The 3K age-group winners were Oliver Quiroz and Charlene Magat in the 6-9 age category and Aldrin Valenzuela and Trisha Ramirez in the 10-13 group.

Capturing the biggest delegation award was the Firefly Joggers. On hand to award the trophies, medals and cash prizes to the winners were Yakult Phils Inc project manager Kenji Egami, plant manager Mitsuo Taniguchi and plant technical manager Koji Korouda.