Delos Santos, Kiptanui stamp class in Unity Run

Sunday, January 22, 2012

FAMILIAR names ruled in the Kahit Isang Araw Unity Run yesterday at the Sumilon Road, Cebu Business Park.

Joshphat Kiptanui and Mary Grace Delos Santos conquered the 10K division, while Abraham Missos and Mary Joy Tabal prevailed in the 5K.

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Kiptanui clocked in at 32:03 to beat Cebu City Marathon champion Richard Mutisya by only 16 seconds, making up for his fifth-place finish in the Cebu City Marathon. Adonis Singson bagged third place in 35:10.

On the other hand, Delos Santos showed her fine form as she was the only female runner to finish under 40 minutes. Delos Santos won the 10K in 39:35, while Christy Tutor settled for second in 42. Madelyn Carter got third place in 42:54.

Missos maintained his dominance after he claimed another win in the 5K in 16:34, beating Mendel Lopez (16:44) by 10 seconds. Philip Dueñas got third place in 17:09.

On the other hand, Tabal marked her return to competitive running, after suffering from an injury, with a title in the 5K. She crossed the line in 20:02, beating sisters Lovely (20:08) and Cherry Andrin (21:47).

Joel Delposo and Jhean Andrin also topped the 3K category.

Kiptanui and Delos Santos earned P20,000, while Missos and Tabal got P15,000. Delposo and Andrin earned P10,000.

Yesterday’s event was just part of the nationwide staging of the race, which drew over 209,00 runners in Manila alone. The other races were in Tacloban, Bacolod, Davao, Butuan and Puerto Princisa.

The record number in Manila was boosted by televangelist Bro. Eli Soriano’s followers in Church of God International, surpassing the Guinness World Record of 116,086 participants during the Run for Pasig River on Oct. 10, 2010.

Event organizer Ryan Ramos of Avant-Garde said that several schools and running clubs all over Metro Manila as well as members of the Philippine National Police and Philippine Navy likewise made up the bulk of the participants.

“As far as our record is concerned, there were 209,000 who registered for the event.

But many more came who participated just for the love of running,” said Ramos.

However, broadcaster Daniel Razon, the brains behind the project, said that they are not interested in the Guinness World Record recognition but mainly to develop awareness on doing good through their advocacy of providing computer facilities for public schools students.

Aside from Soriano and Razon, other high-ranking officials who joined the footrace were Department of Education Secretary Armin Luistro, Commodore Jesus Milan of the Philippine Navy and PNP Chief Nicanor Bartolome.

In Manila, Kenyan Alex Melly earned P35,000 for finishing first in the 10K, while compatriots Tuwei Samson and Jon Kirob earned P25,000 and P15,000 for finishing second and third.

Roda Chipkerui topped the women’s 10K over Joan Jerutu and Luisa Raterta got third.