Sanchez dominates grueling TCU 105k ultramarathon

PRECIOSA Sanchez displayed toughness and determination to emerge champion in the 2017 TransCebu Ultramarathon held last July 22.

The 40-year-old Sanchez finished the grueling 105-kilometer run that started and finished in barangay Busay, Cebu City in 14 hours, 14 minutes and 34 seconds to be crowned champion.

The race route covered the entire Transcentral Highway connecting Cebu City to Balamban town, west Cebu. Part of the route was a three-kilometer off-road trail at the foot of the famous Mount Manunggal in barangay Magsaysay in Balamban, according to organizer Blue Tradio.

Sanchez, who placed third in the All Women’s Ultra Marathon (AWUM) last March, topped the list of 13 marathoners — mostly male — who finished the 105-km race.

Male marathoner Crystian Cadiz placed second with a time of 16:53.49 while Wit Excelsior Paña rounded off the top three overall finishers at 18:40.15.

The rest of the finishers in the 105-km race were Janrey Yadao (19:40.40), Florendo Famoso (20:02.50), Rodrigo Ravina (20:45.05), Patrick Hannah (20:50.17), Sandra Cabacang (21:10.29), Garry Garcia (21:17.44), John Avellano (22:34.24), Bernie Flores (23:35.37), Venus Bernardo (23:42.53) and Rey Baldelobar (23:53.07), respectively.

In the 55k run, another 40-year-old marathoner, Edil Batiancila, emerged victorious as he crossed the finish in 6:07.19. Clees Paul Tabiliran (6:40.53) and Markus Haeny (7:28.12) were his runners up.

The rest of the finishers of the 55k run were Rowell Paner (8:20.53), Ervin James Pabular (8:48.38), Roger Suter (8:54.38), Hector Toledano (9:20.45), Jovito Custodio (9:23.04), Julie Espinosa (9:33.31), Darwin Regner (9:33.50), Gemuel Omolon (9:33.50), Maria Jessa Sepe (11:04.07), Maria Dea Devaras (11:04.08), Rino John Corpuz (11:57.04), Arthel Caronongan (11:57.45), Ian Leo Martinez (11:57.55) and Kristine Dave Orbiso (11:59.10), respectively.