A NEW name is making waves in Cebu’s long-distance running scene, after Cebu-based Evamie Villarin pulled off two consecutive wins in the women’s half-marathon races this month.
Villarin, a native of Dipolog City who is now based in Cebu, conquered the eighth edition of Hunat Sugbu: Dagan Para ni Maning in the Ayala Terraces yesterday after her triumph in the DYAB Kapamilya Run two weeks ago.
Villarin of Spectrum Runners Club ran a personal best time of 1 hour, 32 minutes and 26 seconds to dominate the women’s half-marathon race on her first stint in the annual Hunat Sugbu run.
Lovely Andrin clocked 1:46:21 to place second and Rhea Garrucho timed 1:46:35 for third place.
The 21-year-old Villarin, who finished a degree in accounting technology in Saint Vincent College in Dipolog City last March, is a late-bloomer in running, having picked up the sport about two years ago as a hobby.
Her first half-marathon was last year in the 41st Milo Marathon Regional Qualifiers in Cagayan de Oro City and she qualified for the national finals in Cebu, where she finished in 12th place in her first full marathon.
“I did not expect to win Hunat Sugbu. It’s my first time to join this event and only my sixth half-marathon race overall. But every time I race, I always try to give my best,” said Villarin, who targets to get a time of 1:30 for her coming 21K races.
Spectrum president Gerry Mayo said that Villarin was a member of Spectrum Dipolog Chapter and has relocated to Cebu after graduation. Villarin is working part-time in the Sto. Nino Dialysis Center.
“We are building her up because we saw her potential,” said Mayo of Villarin, who will compete next in the Mega Wear half-marathon on July 14 and Runrio Marathon in August.
The men’s 21K, meanwhile, had the usual set of winners as Kenyans Eric Chepsiror and Joseph Mururi walked away with a 1-2 finish with times of 1:12:42 and 1:13:49, respectively. (RSC)