April Fernandez is women’s champ in Run for the Rivers
It was not the usual suspects in the women’s 21-kilometer race of the 3rd Cebu Run for the Rivers yesterday at the SM City Cebu Northwing car park.
A new name emerged victorious after April Fernandez ruled the half-marathon distance of the run for a cause with a time of one hour, 36 minutes and 15 seconds.
Aside from Fernandez, another newcomer, Jona dela Torre, also landed a podium finish after placing second with a time of 1:38.23. Sarah Lee Cuizon placed third with a time of 1:43.24.
In the men’s side, Kenyan Isaac Simat took the top spot as he crossed the finish line in one hour, 14 minutes and 33 seconds.
He edged local bet Jobert Carolino of Davao City, who finished the race in 1:14.37. Paul James Zafico rounded off the top three with a time of 1:16.24.
The 10k race, however, was won by noted local runners.
In the women’s side, the promising Cherry Andrin was the first to arrive as she finished in 40 minutes and 47 seconds.
Andrin bested Melody Perez, who settled for second with a time of 41:10, while Geneda Arcuino placed third, clocking 44:22.
Michael Largo emerged the fastest in the men’s side, finishing in 34:52.
He beat Joseph Emia, who settled for second with a time of 34:54. Regie Magbologtong placed third with a time of 36:09.
In the 5k race, University of San Carlos’ (USC) Mary Joy Loberanis staged an upset after defeating Lovely Fe Andrin to rule the female division with a time of 19:31.
Andrin breasted the finish line in 20:09 while Geniecel Saballa placed third, clocking 20:32.
John Cliff Debulosan topped the men’s 5k race with a time of 15:58 while John Daryl Manos came in second (16:16) and Arnel Florentino finished third (16:32).
Jerson Casinillo (10:37) and Catherine Yu (12:49) topped the 3k race.
The annual foot race was a fund-raising campaign for the reforestation and rehabilitation of riparian zones of the Mahiga Creek and Guadalupe River.
Around 2,000 runners joined the race, which was organized by the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) in partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources- Environmental Management Bureau Region VII.