Ramirez survives Sorongon in 2nd Primary Homes Run

MEREEIS Ramirez of Dumaguete City snatched the women’s title in the 12-kilometer race of the 2nd Primary Homes-Home Run by narrowly defeating an equally talented foe Ruffa Sorongon of Sultan Kudarat yesterday at the Cebu Business Park grounds.

Ramirez, the Cebu City Marathon 21k champion, finished the race in 54 minutes and seven seconds to edge out the multi-titled Sorongon by a mere two-second difference.

Sorongon reached the finish line in 54 minutes and nine seconds.

Geneda Arcuino wound up in third place at 1:04.19. She was followed by Giselle Moulder, who clocked 1:14.45.

Completing the top five in the 12k distaff side was Donna Bugarin, who timed 1:25.08.

Kenyan runners, on the other hand, dominated the men’s 12k race as Erick Chipsiror and Abraham Kilimo took the top two spots.

Chipsiror finished the race with the time of 43 minutes and four seconds while Kilimo recorded 43:06.

Local runner Mark Gil Opo finished third with a time of 54:42. Jimmy Yu came in fourth at 1:00.28 and Jomar Villaguardia ranked fifth at 1:00.45.

In the 6k race, another Kenyan took the spotlight as Joseph Miruri dominated the male division at 19:50 while Rafael Piscos settled for second at 20:24.

Arnel Florentino wound up third at 20:40. Cherry Andrin placed first in the female division of the 6k race with a time of 25:28, besting Geneicel Saballa, who landed at second place with 26:11.

Cherry’s younger sister Lovely Fe rounded off the top three with 28:43.

Lovely Grace Peña and Ruel Algufera, meanwhile topped the 3k race men and women’s divisions at 13:56 and 10:26, respectively.

Around a thousand runners joined the footrace organized by the Primary Structures Educational Foundation Inc. (PSEFI) for the benefit of its “SKILLS” program which helps less fortunate Cebuanos to become skilled workers.

The running event was a fund-raising activity as well. It was handled by veteran race director Joel Baring of the Sports and Fitness Enthusiasts (SAFE).