BEMEDALED runners Arlan Arbois, Jr. of Team Aura/Rizal Memorial Colleges (RMC) and Diana Mae Memoracion of Emar Human and Environmental College bagged 21K titles in the JCI just-concluded Kadayawan Half-Marathon 2019 held in an out-and-back course from People’s Park in Davao City.
Arbois checked in at one hour, 14 minutes and four seconds, outlasting Agustin Ychon of Team Aura/Spectrum and Reymark Sorianosos of Kidapawan City to capture the men’s 21K champion’s trophy.
Arbois said he didn’t expect topping the 21K as he just raced and landed second in the 25K event of the Kadayawan Run 2019 the week before.
“Bun-og pako sa 25K, nakaloy-an pud. Ang akoa lang ato nga mahuman lang nako ang 21K den mao to nadugay nakong dagan na conditionan na noon ko (I still haven’t recovered from the 25K, God’s grace. All I thought was to finish the race but during the course of the run I was feeling better),” he said.
Ychon clocked 1:14:39 while Sorianosos registered 1:20:00 to finish second and third, respectively.
The 21-year-old Memoracion, for her part, annexed the women’s 21K crown having timed 1:54:01 over next two placers Madilyn Carter (1:54:03) and Rosalyn Agatia (2:02:17).
Winning her 21K debut came out as a surprise for Memoracion who has been dominating the 5K and 10K fun runs in the past.
She told SunStar Davao, “Gusto lang nako mo try maam kung makaya ba nako mag 21K then wala ko nag-expect na kaya diay nako maam (I just wanted to test myself if I could do a 21K and I didn’t expect I could).”
The Bimp-Eaga Friendship Games medalist and Carter went head-to-head near the Department of Education along Quirino Avenue but Memoracion somehow broke away as they were nearing the finish line at People’s Park.
In 10K, University of Mindanao’s Fritz Lantaco topped the men’s event. He finished in 35:24 while Daryl Mark Daban of Team Aura (37:58) placed second and Dante Ba-ay of South Cotabato (38:26) followed in third.
The women’s 10K title went to Darie Mae Daban of Team Aura (1:02:02) who bested Rachel Rellin (1:04:31) and Gianne Mendoza (1:04:45).