CEBU, Philippines - Cebuano long distance runner Prince Joey Lee stunned Kenyan Douglas Mwiti to snare the 15-kilometer men's open crown of the 23rd Gaisano Country Mall Anniversary Run yesterday.
Lee touched down the finish line with the fastest time of 52 minutes and 58.52 seconds, enough to beat Mwiti who only clocked in 53:08. Michael Largo came out third in 53:40.
In the distaff side, the little known Cresabel Cadion took the top spot with a time of one hour, seven minutes and 21.53 seconds. She was away ahead of Lovely Andrin, who finished in 1:09:38 as Meiries Ramirez settled for third in 1:12:11.
In the 21K half marathon, Mwiti's compatriot Eric Chepsiror reigned supreme in 1:10:51. Rafael Piscos, the Cebu leg champion of the 2016 National Milo Marathon, wound up second in 1:14:22, while Azlan Pagay claimed the third spot in 1:17:25.
Ruffa Sorongon lived up to her lofty billing in the women's 21K with a time of 1:31:05. The next two spots were occupied by Lizane Abella (1:32:42) and Sandra Soliano (1:45:51).
The top three in the men's 10K were Jason Padayao (35:35), James Mebei (36:07) and Robert Daang (37:27), while Cherry Andrin (44:44) led the winners in the women's category alongside Keisha Delechos (49:02) and Rosemarie Tumulak (51:11).
In the 5K action, Erlincito Deonila (17:29) and Riza Bausin (20:40) topped their respective classes. (FREEMAN)