Merlita Arias-Dunkin started the race 20 minutes later than her opponents but she still passed everyone else on the trail and became the women’s open champion in yesterday’s 11K The North Face Trail Run Challenge held in Danao, Bohol.
Dunkin, who clocked one hour, 53 minutes and six seconds, arrived late for the race after coming in from Cagayan de Oro City, where she took part in the Dahilayan 55K Trail Ultramarathon and placed second.
Dunkin said she had booked an earlier flight from Cagayan de Oro to Tagbilaran. But the Dahilayan awarding was held about 3 p.m., which caused her to miss her flight.
She was, however, determined to take part in the Danao trail run as she took a boat to Tagbilaran, rode a bus to Sagbayan and hired a motor-for-hire just to get to Danao in time for the trace.
“I was nearly in tears when they told me that the race had already started but I did not lose hope,” Dunkin said.
“I did not expect to win. I told myself I will give it my all, if it was not anymore possible to catch up with my opponents then I would just enjoy the run.”
The run kicked off at the Danao municipal hall and ended at the Danao Adventure Park.
Finishing second to Dunkin was Josephine Cagas, who clocked 1:59:17. Settling for third was Eva Marie Pocot with a time of 2:08:34.
The men’s open title went to Meljun Luterte, who crossed the finish line in 1:05:15.
Trailing Luterte less than a minute later was Giovani Telmo (1:06:08). Salvaging third place was Demet Rosales, who finished the race just seconds later (1:06:38).
The 11K The North Face Trail Run Challenge was organized by the Adventure Support Services (ASS) powered by the Bohol Adventure Team based in Tagbilaran in cooperation with the Danao local government and the Danao Adventure Park.
It was part of the festivities held in line with Danao’s celebration of its 50th township anniversary dubbed the Danao Music and Adventure Festival.