CLOSE to 4,000 Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (Cesafi) athletes got to join the running craze in yesterday’s First Cesafi Fun Run.
The event, which started at the University of Southern Philippines Foundation and ended at the Cebu City Sports Center, was limited to students of the Cesafi member schools and non-track and field athletes.
And with only fellow students to compete against, the athletes, armed with their better conditioning, took most of the top spots.
Lovelyn Lim, a member of the University of Cebu (UC) taekwondo team, topped the women’s 5K after the first placer was disqualified, while Clyde Sales of Southwestern University (SWU) won the men’s 5K.
Lim ran the route in 31:24.44 to beat Joy Lapus (32:56.11) and Marigold Panilag (33:59.07).
Ranz Colina of the University of Southern Philippines was the first to cross the finish line but she was disqualified because she is a member of her school’s track and field team.
“This fun run is only for students of the Cesafi member- schools and members of of the track and field team are not allowed, to give chance to the other students,” race official Lyle Larida said.
In the men’s division, Sales posted 20:11.41 to beat UC’s Irvin Borbon (20:50.11) and Agapito Baclaan (21:10.44) of the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R).
Boxers from SWU made a one-two finish in the Men’s 3K, while the volleyball players of UC swept the women’s division.
Ian Ruela won the men’s title in 15:56.11, beating teammate Allan Refuela (16:21.44). UC’s Remondito Batiancila got third spot in 16:24.33.
Joelyn Suquib got the women’s title in 18:21.83, while teammates Stephanie Morales (19:37.34) and Hydel Sungahid (19:40.21) got the next two spots.