MARY JOY Tabal and Jeson Agravante emerged the fastest runners in the 21-kilometer race of yesterday’s 1st Cebu Run for the Rivers at the SM City-Cebu Northwing grounds.
Tabal claimed the top spot in the women’s race by clocking one hour, 27 minutes and nine seconds. But it was Agravante who came out with the biggest win as he shocked the Kenyan pack to emerge men’s champion with a time of one hour, 13 minutes and 46 seconds.
The Kenyans were led by Isaac Simat, who finished second with a time of 1:14.02, followed by Douglas Mwiti at third with a time of 1:15.16.
Tabal’s closest pursuer was Jennylyn Nobleza, who finished in 1:36.52. Cristy Tutor rounded off the top three runners with a time of 1:39.12.
Riez Enriquez and Lovely Fe Andrin, meanwhile, won the titles in the 10k race.
Enriquez won the men’s title in 35 minutes and 26 seconds while Andrin clocked 46:21 to secure the women’s crown.
Kenyan Francis Kakui (36:05) had to settle for second spot while Robert Daang (36:16) placed third.
Keisha Mae Delechos clocked 46:39 to finish second to Andrin while Karla Cosep finished in 51:16 to take third place.
Daryl Manos lorded over the 5k race with a time of 16:20 seconds, dethroning short distance race king Joel Delposo for the first time after the latter finished a second behind for second place.
Kier Jie Emnace finished third with a time of 17:28.
Cherry Andrin joined her older sister in the podium after claiming the top spot in the 5k distaff side with a time of 19:11.
Vlessica Jagna finished second with a time of 20:44 while Kreshna Ygot claimed third place with a time of 20:54.
Around 2,000 runners joined the running event organized by the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) for the Cebu Business Month celebration.
The proceeds of the race will be used to strengthen the campaign for the restoration of the river systems and creeks in Metro Cebu. It was also staged to support the government’s “Sagip Ilog” program. /CORRESPONDENT DALE G. ROSAL