Tabal rules in SM 2 SM Run

CEBU, Philippines - Cebuana long distance running star Mary Joy Tabal basked in the limelight anew after topping the women’s 21K race during the SM 2 SM Run 3 yesterday starting and ending at the SM City-Cebu grounds.

Tabal took the lead from the start and maintained a good pace enough to prevent the visiting runners including some Kenyan nationals to spoil her day.

Tabal touched down the finish line in one hour, 24 minutes and 47 seconds to take home the P50,000 bounty.

Silay City’s Jennelyn Nobleza timed 1:30:59 to settle for second place, while Kenya's Patrober Kemboi and Susan Shepkwony grabbed the third and fourth spots with the time of 1:41:08 and 1:47:43, respectively.

In the men's side, the vaunted Kenyan runners stamped their classes with Willy Rotich and Eliud Kering posting a 1-2 finish. Rotich recorded the fastest time of one hour and 10 minutes, while Kering came in at 1:10:28.

Jason Agravante wound up third in 1:12:38 followed by Kenyans Abrahamd Missos (1:15:23) and James Mibei (1:15:56).

The Kenyans also scored a clean sweep in the men's 12K battle courtesy of Philip Ronoh (39:39), Francis Kakui (40:30) and Lelei Eliud (42:45).

Joel Kembol, for his part, ruled the men’s 6K action with a time of 18:27:67 as Isaac Simat placed second in 18:57:69.

In the distaff side, Cherry and Jhean Andrin had a 1-2 finish in the women’s 6K, while their other sister Lovely Fe Andrin lorded it over in the women's 12K.

In the couples division, Noy and Amale Jopson topped the 21K with a time of 1:45:55.   (FREEMAN)