Nerza shines anew in Philhealth-DOH Run in Davao

FRESH from sweeping two gold medals and one silver in the just-concluded 2013 Private Schools Athletic Association (Prisaa) National Championship in Pangasinan, Brokenshire College standout Anthony Nerza added a feather on his cap by bagging the men's 18K title of the PhilHealth-DOH Nationwide Run Davao leg held Sunday in an out-and-back course from SM City Davao Parking Lot C.

Nerza, a 23-year-old junior PE student, checked in at one hour, six minutes and 27 seconds to pocket the top purse of P12,000, while runner-up Arnie Macañeras and third-placer Brian Lupio received P8,000 and P6,000, respectively.

Macañeras clocked 1:07:56 while Lupio finished in 1:09:38 in the footrace that attracted a total of 6,000 runners.

The women's 18K title went to another Brokenshire College varsity scholar Cellie Rose Jarowho timed 1:22:43. She bested Emily Avergonzado (1:25:47) and Cynthia Jaro (1:31) who wounded up in the next two spots in the simultaneous event that benefited children with cancer at the Kids of Hope at the Southern Philippines Medical Center. They also claimed the same amount of cash prizes as the men's 18K top three finishers received.

Elmer Bartolo and Criselyn Jaro, for their part, topped the 10K. Bartolo registered 37 minutes and 48 seconds to race past Michael Barrosa (37:49) and Romeo Mascaro (43:32) for the men's crown while Jaro (45:35) prevailed over Marilyn Ledesma (46:00) and Vivian Avergonzado (46:48) to rule the distaff side. The three went home with P10,000, P6,000 and P5,000.

The Davao race was managed by Vantage Sports Promotions of Kenneth Sai.