FRITZ Clarence Lantaco and Diana Mae Memoracion emerged champions in the recently-concluded BBG Roel Ano birthday 5K fun run in Davao City.
University of Mindanao athlete (UM) Lantaco, who hails from Maragusan in Davao de Oro, clocked a total time of 25 minutes and 45 seconds to rule the men’s event.
Lantaco raced past Arlan Arbois Jr. of the Rizal Memorial Colleges and veteran Elmer Bartolo who finished second and third, respectively. Arbois timed 26:48, while Bartolo registered 29:12.
Rounding up the top 10 were January Catane (29:27), Charl Ticuas (30:15), Kyle Vielchi (32:24), Nipomuceno Antiga, Jr. (32:48), Kyle Ryoichi Cayog (33:10), Franz Kevin Gaslang (33:49), and Kyle Levi Cayog (34:20).
Davao City’s Memoracion, for her part, checked in at 35:04 to capture the women’s 5k title over Rosalyn Agatha (39:45), Sharmaine Yonson (44:03), and Angeline Response (56:01).
Lantaco and Memoracion each received brand new Hoka rubber shoes while their runners-up settled for Hoka slippers and the third placers claimed Basta Bisaya Gahi (BBG) Run Events gift items. They all received P1,000 cash prize.
Coach Roel Ano told this writer that the race was a birthday event he prepares for elite runners who have been sidelined during the pandemic.
“Diri nakita kon kinsa jud nagpadayon ug training sa ani na panahon. Ma-test kung nagpadayon ba sila ug training o wala (The race gauged who continued to train in this challenging time. It served as a test on who kept on training).”
He said that after the run, the athletes helped in BBG Run Events’ community outreach that was held in coordination with the Maria Cristina P. Belcar Agricultural High School and Philippine National Police (PNP) Baguio station.
More than 50 indigenous people (IP) kids received school supplies, slippers, burgers, and Nature’s Spring bottled water. Ten nursing mothers also received 1 kilogram of Bear Brand adult milk powder.
Ano maintained that they observed the required public minimum health standards during the race and kept the mandatory limit of 25 persons.