Show ‘em who’s queen

LOCALS were treated to a showdown in the highly anticipated face-off between Mary Grace Delos Santos and Mary Joy Tabal in yesterday's DYAB Kapamilya Run at Parkmall.

In the end, Delos Santos outshone proverbial rival Tabal in the premier half-marathon category to win her fifth straight 21K race in Cebu. Delos Santos finished in 1:22.25 and established her second best time from her 1:21.45 personal record in the 21K. Tabal came in at 1:23.32.

In just a week of vacationing in Cebu, Mary Grace Delos Santos swept all the races she joined, including the Run UP High and Run to Save a Heart in Liloan.

Had her video shoot for a national running event, the Milo Marathon, not been rescheduled, she could have missed this most-waited rivalry. The shoot was moved to another date, giving Delos Santos an extra week’s stay in Cebu, which means she will still be competing in the Hunat Sugbo event next week.

Delos Santos was expected to ace this race, having had an ample training with the Philippine Team, but Tabal gave her a run for her money.

Tabal started off strong, taking the lead early. Delos Santos, however, was breathing down her neck the entire time and made a dash for it in the last four kilometers, where she took over the lead and the win.

"It was a no pressure race, she ran at her own pace," said coach Sherwin Managil of Delos Santos.

Tabal, who finished in second place, was satisfied with the turnout of the race after she cut short the time she made in the Singapore Sundown Marathon.

"I'm happy and contented with the race because I was able to improve my time," said Tabal.

Madelyn Carter posted a time of 1:41.07 to place third.

As expected, Kenyans ruled the men's 21K with Abraham Missos placing first in 1:11.08 and Douglas Mwiti in second place with a time of 1:12.43. Adonis Singson, who placed third, was the best local finisher in 1:14.37.

Lovely Andrin clocked 50:08 to pull a major upset over Christy Tutor who was relegated to second place with a time of 52:14 in the women's 12K open. Mary Jane Beboso placed third in 57:03.

Kenyan Francis Kakui also dominated the 12K men's open in 40:03. He bested Robert Daang (41:18) and Riez Enriquez (42:55) who placed second and third, respectively.

The other winners were Jobert Carolino and Cherry Andrin in the 6K men's and women’s open and Clyde Salis in the 3K open fun run.

A total of 3,500 runners flocked to the event. The proceeds of the run will benefit
the victims of Typhoon Sendong and earthquake victims in Negros.

This is the first time the DYAB Kapamilya Run featured a 21K. Next year, organizers plan to have a full marathon category.