SOUTHWESTERN University’s (SWU) Mary Joy Tabal showed that she is also a tough competitor in trail running after she dominated the 23-kilometer race of the Argao Highlands Endurance Run yesterday in Argao town, southern Cebu.
Tabal her first try at trail running was one of the most challenging races so far. But she still came out on top as she clocked two hours, nine minutes and 30.3 seconds to top the distaff side of the race.
“The race was challenging because everyone did not know what kind of race course we will be running into next because the entire route was a mix of mud and concrete,” said the 22-year-old Tabal. “The rain also added challenge but everything went well for me and I enjoyed it a lot.”
In the men’s side, Kenyan Josphat Kiptanui lorded the division with a time of one hour, 34 minutes and 12 seconds.
Fellow Kenyans Francis Kakui and Douglas Mwiti finished second and third, respectively.
Mirasol Abad finished second followed by Madelyn Carter in the distaff side.
Another Kenyan, Abraham Missous, ruled the 11k division with a time of 51 minutes 18 seconds.
Tabal’s trainer John Philip Duenas trailed Missous followed by Michael Largo.
Marichu Luterte beat multi-awarded trail runner Merlita Arias Dunkin in the 11k women’s race as she finished in one hour, 13 minutes and 17 seconds. Hanz Llerin placed third.
University of Southern Philippines-Foundation (USP-F) ace runner Joel Delposo and the young Cherry Andrin captured the top spots in the 7k race. Delposo clocked 26 minutes and 28 seconds while Andrin finished in 34 minutes and 21 seconds. Ernesto Villaraba and Anarona Laplana were the winners in the 3k category. /CORRESPONDENT DALE G. ROSAL