2 Igorots to scale Kota Kinabalu this year

WITH their stellar performance in the recently concluded Pilipinas Akyathlon, Itogon’s Dino Mantilez and Gretchen Felipe are set to scale the 2,760 meters above sea level Mt. Kinabalu later this year.

Mantilez, who finished second behind French national Clement Dumont, together with Felipe, who finished third in the distaff side, will represent the country in the upcoming 27th Mt. Kinabalu International Climbathon from October 19 to October 20.

Mt. Ugo took the limelight anew Saturday morning as it hosted close to 100 runners from all over the world for the 2013 Pilipinas Akyathlon, which is a 35.4-kilometer out-and-back foot race.

“The Akyahtlon event is actually one of the three Asian Skyrunning events sanctioned by the International Skyrunning Federation that includes the Mt. Fuji in Japan and the Kinabalu Climbathon,” said ISF secretary general Nina Dacanay.

Aside from Mantilez and Felipe, several local runners also topped their respective age group organized by the Philippine Skyrunning Association in cooperation with the Province of Benguet, Municipality of Itogon, Barangay of Tinongdan supported by the Department of Tourism–Cordillera and backed by Salomon, ROX and Summit Drinking Water.

James Tellias topped the 18-29 age group with a time of four hours 21 minutes and 40 seconds, which is also good for a decent fifth place finish, while Dannin Arenzana and Alison, younger brother of James, were second and third, respectively.

In the female 20-29 age group, Marie Anne Constantino checked in with a time of 6:18:20 to top the age group with Maria Jospehine Liao and Mae Valdez finishing second and third, respectively.

Joel Bengtay took home the top finisher plum in the 30-39 age group, while Malaysian Fabian Osomod Bin Daimon and Filipino Julio Pasabing came in second and third in exact order.

Valerie Tauli was the runaway winner in the same age group for the female side with a time of six hours, 19 minutes and 39 seconds as Rizabeth Grandinetti and Jade lee were second and third, respectively.

George Killo of the Cordillera Conservation Trust topped the 40-49 age group with Jole Malecdan and lawyer Jonnifer Lacanlale finishing second and third, respectively, while Philip Pacle topped the 50-59 age group division.

The 40-49 age group winners in the female side include Berns Tan topping the group while Daisy Merca and Sen. Pia Cayetano finished second and third, respectively.