Summit Run boosts bid for Olympic glory

MANILA, Philippines - The success of the recently held Summit Run for Pinoy Glory at The Fort BGC is proof that our national athletes are steadily gaining support in their quest for success at the 2012 London Olympics.

Army man Romeo Marquez topped the first leg of a series of marathon events put up to help Filipino Olympians and members of the Philippine Paralympic team to this year’s Olympic Games.

Marquez ruled the men’s 21K contest in one hour, 19 minutes, 59 seconds to beat Jonar Urbalido (1:24:57) and Ganilo Coloma (1:28:23) in the event’s kickoff run last weekend.

Michelle Gilbueno edged Janette Agura in the 21K women’s category in 1:32:40, just two seconds ahead of Agura in a near deadheat of the race organized by Shadowfax Events in partnership with the British Embassy, the British Chamber of Commerce and the UK Trade and Investment and sponsored by Summit Natural Drinking Water.

“We are proud to be part of the Summit Run for Pinoy Glory and its cause. We have always believed in inspiring the burning passions of our national athletes which is why we have been supporting them throughout these years by providing their hydration requirements and in other ways we can,” said Angelie Ong, brand manager for Summit Natural Drinking Water.

Carly Relf wound up third (1:49:26) in women’s 21K while Lee McMeek (34:45) and Maricel Maquilan (40:36) dominated the men’s and distaff side of the 10K class. Jujet De Asis clocked 16:16 to emerge triumphant in men’s 5K, beating Ronald Salgado (16:42)..

In the 10K executive, Gerald Amoranto (46:48) nosed out Andrew Hart (46:50) and Chris Wright (48:16). The other winners were Michelle De Vera in women’s 5K (20:05), Inaty Nuevas in women’s 3K (11:28), Michael Bacong (8:26, men’s 3K) and Jerico Peña in the 3K wheelchair mixed category.

The beneficiaries are the Philippine Olympians Association and the Philippine Sports Association for the Differently-Abled (Philspada). Part of the proceeds will go to athletes and Paralympic athletes bound for the London Olympics set July 27-Aug. 12.

“We’re looking forward to a successful Olympics in London so the British Embassy is very keen to promote the Olympics and everything we can do to support it,’’ said British Deputy Ambassador Trevor Lewis.

So far, only boxer Mark Anthony Barriga has qualified while the mandatory slots for athletics have been reserved for Southeast Asia’s long-jump queen Marestella Torres and five-time SEA Games gold medalist Rene Herrera (3000m steeplechase).

More boxers, shooters and a couple of wrestlers are gearing up for their respective qualifying tournaments in the hopes of catching the last bus to London.

National athletes and coaches who participated in the run were tracksters Sheena Atilano and Narcisa Atienza, track and field coaches Jeoffrey Chua and Roselyn Hamero, paralympic lifter Adelin Dumapong, wheelchair racer Ruth Opena and lady boxer Josie Gabuco.