RAFAEL Pescos and Lizane Abella of Spectrum Runners Club conquered the first edition of the Baybay City Marathon, winning the men’s and women’s 42-kilometer category at the Veterans Plaza in Baybay City, Leyte yesterday.

Pescos completed the marathon in 2 hours 38 minutes and 11 seconds, edging out Noel Tillor for the men’s title.

Tillor settled for second place with a time of 2:41:05, while Andy Toniacao was in distant third with 3:07:58.

In the women’ division, Cebu’s Abella continued to show top form as she nabbed the women’s 42K title, a week after placing third in the 40th Milo Marathon Finals in Iloilo City.

Abella, also from Spectrum Runners Club, clocked 3:27:44 to win the women’s division over Mary Grace Solarte and Jelma Monsanto who finished at 4:01:05 and 4:13:59.