Lopez bags men’s title in 1st Bohol Marathon

Panglao Island, Bohol—Decorated triathlete Mendel Lopez conquered the 42-kilometer race in the inaugural Bohol Marathon 2012 at the Bohol Beach Club here.

With the Kenyans only considered as guest runners in the race, local participants were given a chance to shine and Lopez took advantage of this as he topped the 42k distance in two hours, 46 minutes and 44 seconds.

Iligan’s Jeffrey Sotto finished second with a time of two hours, 49 minutes and 37 seconds while Alvirg Busa of Naga City, Cebu claimed third place honors, clocking two hours, 53 minutes and 20 seconds.

Since they were relegated to being guest runners, organizers decided to give special rewards to the three Kenyan runners who joined the 21k and 42k categories yesterday.

Kenyans Abraham Missous (2:47.40) and Francis Kakui (2:47.59) finished second and third in the 42 but were not considered winners.

Cristy Sevellino-Tutor, meanwhile, dominated the women’s 42k race with a time of 3:55.19 followed by ultra runner Odeiza Abellana (4:05.00) and multi-awarded trail runner Merlita Arias-Dunkin  (4:22.59).

Davao’s Joebert Carolino, who was paced by Kenyan Josphat Kiptanui from halfway, topped the men’s 21k race with a time of 1:14.56. Kiptanui finished in 1:14.59.

Adonis Singson finished second with a time of 1:16.11 and triathlete John Philip Dueñas claimed third spot with a time of 1:16.48.

Mary Joy Tabal won the 21k women’s crown with a time of 1:30.10 followed by Joeyry Lee (1:39.44) and Tuili Pykkonen (2:00.43).

Aiza Suaybaguio topped the 5k race with a time of 22:24 while Bohol-native Alvin Castañares topped the men’s division with a time of 17:59.

Around 700 runners, mostly from Cebu and some from Manila, answered yesterday’s starting gun. The race was the first full marathon hosted by Bohol.  Some runners used  this race as  a tune-up for a full triathlon event to be held here this December.