1,500 Cebu runners pay tribute to slain marathon champion

Local personalities and athletes were among nearly  1,500 runners who paid tribute to the late ultrarunner Melinda Ponce in a 5-kilometer run,  which started at the Ayala Center Cebu’s The Terraces.

Among those who hit the pavement for “Run for Melinda” were Justice Gabriel Ingles, Cebu City Councilor Edgar Labella, Dr. Potenciano “Yong” Larrazabal III and  wife Donna, TV news anchor and sports columnist Haidee Acuña, heart surgeon Dr. Peter Mancao, Joel Garganera and businessman Jonathan Guardo.

Top athletes  Amale and Noy Jopson, Sherwin Managuil and Lorhiz Echavez joined members of running clubs in the event.

The early morning run  was a salute to the 53-year-old Ponce, who inspired other runners as a latebloomer who won over 20 medals in various marthons and fun runs.

Ponce was shot dead along with three children and a house maid by her husband Emmanuel last Sunday at their home in Palm View Village in Talisay City.

The husband, who was believed to be suffering from severe  depression, shot himself in the head after the shooting rampage.  He spared their youngest child, 13-year-old Embrelaince.

Melinda’s  close friends from work in Banco de Oro, where she worked as assistant branch manager in the Taboan branch, and the local running community showed up yesterday.

Ponce was admired as an ultrarunner who started running at the age of 48 and was known to have beaten runners much  younger than her.

Her last two victories were the Summit 60 K  Ultramarathon in Talisay City and the Be Resorts Warrior 53 K ultramarathon in Lapu-Lapu City. She also qualified in her age group for this year’s 35th National Milo Marathon Finals slated Dec. 11 in Manila.

With less than a week to organize, veteran race director Joel Baring mounted yesterdays tribute run.

“It was very easy because everyone wanted to show their support for the Ponce family and the only surviving member of the family Ember,” said Baring.

“We thank God everyone joined hands for this activity.”

Larrazabal III announced before the run  that the family-owned Cebu Doctors’ University  would offer  Embrelaince  a four-year scholarship.

Proceeds of the tribute run will be given to the families of Melinda and the slain housekeeper, and to a group working to help victims of domestic abuse. /Dale G. Rosal, Correspondent