Tabal, Mwiti dominate accident-marred Timex Run Cebu

KENYAN Douglas Mwiti and Mary Joy Tabal stood proud above the rest after they took home respective titles in the Timex Run Cebu leg yesterday at the Cebu City Sports Center.

Mwiti secured the men's 16K title after he crossed the finish line in 54:53. He overpowered locals Robert Daang who made it in second place with a time of 57:39 and Paul James Zafico in third with a time of 59:42.

Tabal logged another win in the women's 16K Open with a convincing finish of 1:05.58 against second placer Joeyry Lee, who came in eight minutes later. Lee clocked 1:13:32, while third placer Amale Jopson finished in 1:21:19 third place finish.

A Timex Ironman Run Trainer watch and P7,000 was received by winners of the 16K.

Mwiti’s compatriot Abraham Missos ruled the men's 10K clocking 34:09. He was closely followed by Ironman Filipino Elite third placer Mendel Lopez in second place with a time of 34:58, while Riez Enriquez made it in third place with 35:14.

Mary Grace Delos Santos lorded it over in the women's 10K with a 39:53 finish against second placer Lovely Andrin in 42:29 and Kisha Mae Delechos in third with 44:53.

Jobert Carolino and Cherry Andrin prevailed in the 5K open category.

The run's success was tainted after two of its participants were hit on the road by a private car near the vicinity of the Cebu Technology University bridge.

The runners were known to be triathlete couple and former national team pool members Sandra and Peter Gonzales, of Team PLDT who flew in from Manila to join the race.

Sandra is a former national team member and was the record holder of the triathlon Olympic distance before it was broken by LC Langit.

Peter suffered a neck fracture, while his wife sustained a few gashes. The couple were admitted at Chong Hua Hospital.

The local organizer of the Timex Run, Ricky Ballesteros said the two are in good condition as certified by the doctors who handled the medical and physical examinations.

The driver was identified as Cebu Comelec lawyer Ferdinand Gujile.

The accident was still under investigation by the City Traffic Operations Management.

Race Marshalls and police officers were also named as witness to the incident.

"The race could have been succesful had it not been for the accident that happened. Lisod man sad to fully close that area kay highway man to," said Ballesteros.

"Rest assured that we will have this situation investigated,” he added.