NATIONAL Prisaa Games 2019 double gold medalist Arlan Arbois, Jr. emerged champion in the 1st Surigao del Sur International Half Marathon held Sunday, June 16, 2019, in Tandag, Surigao del Sur.
The 22-year-old Arbois, a fourth year Criminology student of Rizal Memorial Colleges (RMC) raced past Davao City's Elmer Bartolo and Iligan City's Miller Neri who finished second and third, respectively.
Arbois, in a Facebook interview, said he did not expect topping the race since he went home to Tupi, South Cotabato after collecting two golds in the National Prisaa Games 2019 men's 5,000-meter run and 10,000m run and a silver in 1,500m.
"Nagbakasyon ko sa amoa wala koy training human sa Prisaa. Nakatraining ko one week lang usa ang lumba sa Tandag. Pero bisag wala koy klarong training, gi-try lang gihapon nako akong best if makaya ba nako ug nag pray pud ko kay God na makaya lang nako ang 21K og maging safe (I had my vacation at home after Prisaa. I only trained one week for the Tandag race. Even if I didn't have enough training, I still tried to do my best and prayed I could finish the 21K safely)," he said.
He received P13,000 for his feat, which he plans to use for his daily allowance in school and buy vitamins for his daily training.
Meanwhile, Ychon Agustin of Davao City placed second in men's 10K.
While he waits for the next season of the Davao City Prisaa Meet, Arbois will compete in running events here and in nearby cities and provinces.