Batiancila captures women’s 10k title in Du Ek Sam Run

IT was another day in the office for Kenyan runner Abraham Missous as he stunned local elite runners to win the 10-kilometer category of yesterday’s Du Ek Sam Run that started and finished at the Ayala Center Cebu’s The Terraces.

Missous clocked 34 minutes and 37 seconds to lord the men’s side followed by Riez Enriquez, who was almost four minutes behind with a time of 37:35.  Jessie Mesa finished third, clocking 41:53.

Gretchen Batiancila, on the other hand, ruled the women’s 10k with a time of 55 minutes and 25 seconds.

Veteran runner Merlita Arias-Dunkin placed second (55:57) while Meriam Miranda came in at third spot (56:04).

Jorry Ycong and Aiza Suaybaguio, meanwhile, shared the top spots in the 5k category.

Ycong clocked 16:50 to win the men’s title while Suaybaguio finished the race in 21:08 in the distaff side.

Jodel Barilan (09:35) and Lorna Olarita (11:31) were the winners in the 3k category.

The running event served as a birthday gift for Du Ek Sam’s matriarch Melecia Uy Du, who turned 85. /CORRESPONDENT DALE G. ROSAL