Is there a new force emerging in the running circuit?
Lizane Abella continued to make her presence felt on the road as she outlasted a multi-titled opponent to win the 12-kilometer run of the M-Talent Celebrity Run yesterday at Parkmall in Mandaue City.
Abella bagged her third title this month alone by finishing the race in 50 minutes and 11 seconds, just a second ahead of Ruffa Sorongon, who settled for second place at 50:12.
Sorongon has been a dominant force in races. Last year, the runner from Sultan Kudarat accumulated 22 wins and has won two races this year.
Sorongon, however, couldn’t over the challenge posed by Abella, who came into yesterday’s race with two titles tucked under her belt.
The 28-year-old Abella, a native of Lapu-Lapu City, won the Dagan Para Sa Gatas ni Nanay and the grueling 50-kilometer All-Women Ultra Marathon (Awum) early this month.
Trailing Abella and Sorongon was Jonah De la Torre, who timed 58:58.
On the other hand, Kenyan Joseph Mururi ruled the men’s 12k race with a time of 41:36, outlasting Rafael Pescos, who clocked 43:09 and Michael Largo, who ended the race in 45:10.
Another Kenyan, Eric Chepsiror, ruled the men’s 6K race at 19:43. Cebuano Prince Joey Lee placed second at 20:45. Chepsiror’s compatriot James Meibi ranked third at 21:57.
Cherry Andrin, meanwhile, topped the 6k women’s race at 26:22, beating Rizza Baosin and Melody Perez, who timed at 27:01 and 27:53, respectively.
Ariel and Jenecel Saballa topped the men’s and women’s 3K categories at 9:44 and 12:16, respectively.
John Cliff Debulosan (9:45) and professional boxer Ian Refuela (9:57) placed second and third in the men’s division, while Charrisse Encarnacion (12:17) and Princess Jive Borneo (13:57) were the runners-up in the women’s class.