AFTER settling for second in most of the runs this year, Dumaguete City native Mereeis Ramirez finally snatched the women’s 21K title after winning the Hunat Sugbo 4: Dagan para ni Maning at the Parkmall, Mandaue City.
Ramirez, who comes to Cebu every weekend to join a footrace as a means of livelihood to support her kids, clocked 1 hour 38 minutes and 26 seconds—a convincing 11-minute win over Sandra Soliano who came second in 1:47:20. Shiela Aligway came third in 1:58:43.
The soft-spoken Ramirez shared that running has been part of her life since high school and up until now that she’s a full-time mother to her growing kids.
“The race was fine and I had a good run. My training has slowed down now since my kids are already going to school,” said Ramirez in Cebuano yesterday.
The 35-year-old runner, who placed third in the DYAB Kapamilya Run last weekend and The Eye Run last June 8, comes to Cebu because of the lack of competitions in Dumaguete.
The men’s division, on the other hand, showcased a match between Kenyan Douglas Mwiti and Cebu City Marathon 2014 men’s champion Noel Tillor. Mwiti emerged victorious in 1:14:03. Tillor, who gave the Kenyan a run for his money, clocked 1:14:44. Rafael Piscos came third in 1:17:14, followed by Paul James Zafico in 1:19:16 and Jezrel Baguio 1:32:27.