Call center agent wins 50k race

Paul James Zapico and Ordiza Jade Abellana shared the spotlight as they ruled the grueling 50-kilometer race of the Olango Island Ultramarathon Eco-Adventure event held over the weekend in Olango Island.

Zapico, a call center agent in Cebu City, finished the race in three hours, 51 minutes and 14 seconds to win the men’s crown of the race that started late Saturday night.

Abellana, an ultra marathon and triathlon veteran of the Igat Runners Club, crossed the finish line in five hours, 27 minutes and 18 seconds to take the women’s title.

Two other runners from the Igat Runners Club managed podium finishes as Joland Olmilla won third place honors in the male side while Mary Luz Shinizu also settled for third in the women’s race.

Andy  Tuñacao  from the Toes Team of Tacloban City finished in four hours, 10 minutes and 51 seconds to finish second in the men’s side. Second placer in the women’s side was North Road Runners Team’s Preciosa Sanchez,who clocked five hours, 52 minutes and 48 seconds.

The Olango ultramarathon, which ended yesterday morning,  is part of a three-leg series of the Cebu Ultrarunners Club’s (CUC). Camotes Island served as the first leg earlier this year. Bantayan Island will serve as the finale of the series.

The 50-kilometer running event is also part of the Lapu-Lapu City government’s thrust to become the country’s tourism hub in sports and eco-tourism.

Around 200 ultra marathoners joined the running event.

Hundreds of residents from Olango cheered the runners along the route, some dancing to the beat of the drums.