GENERAL Santos City’s Leedy Erika Villamonte shared top honors with Aslia Hadji Nassef at the inaugural Davao Women's Run PH, which drew 1,750 participants to SM Lanang Premier on Sunday morning, January 19, 2025.
Villamonte, a 24-year-old BSBA graduating student at South East Asian Institute of Technology (SEAIT) in Tupi, clinched the women’s 10K title with a time of 42 minutes and 25 seconds, ahead of Rachel Rellin (48:37) and Sheinee Fenn Suico (49:27), who finished second and third, respectively.
Fresh from dominating the Paindigay sa Padada 10km Color Run on Saturday, January 18, 2025. Villamonte admitted she felt exhausted after Sunday’s race in Davao City. "Murag gi-feel nako karon ang kakapoy, Ma'am, kay sa kulang sa tulog ug sa byahe pa lang po (I’m feeling the weariness now, Ma'am, because of the lack of sleep and the travel)," she said, adding that she returned home after the event.
Villamonte, who began competitive running only two years ago, was thrilled by her unexpected victory. She took the lead early in the race, though another runner closely followed her for the first three kilometers. By the turning point, she noticed no one was trailing her anymore.
"Lipay kaayo ko, Ma'am, kay naka chamba ko ug nidaog. Although wala ko kaayo nag expect kay ang route namo sa tung sabado kay naay elevation gamay maong nag salig lang gyud ko kay God. Nalipay kaayo ko, Ma'am, kay nag-anamanam na'g balik tung time nako dati ug thankful ko sa successful event sa Womens Run 2025 (I’m really happy, Ma’am, because I managed to win. Although I didn’t expect much because our route last Saturday had some elevation, I just relied on God. I’m also thankful that I surpassed my previous personal best time. It was a successful Women’s Run 2025)," Villamonte, the Hoka Davao Trilogy Run second leg women’s 21K champion, shared in a Messenger interview with SunStar Davao.
In the women’s 5K, Nassef claimed first place, clocking 23:27, followed by Renalyn Lausan (24:42) and Louella Edrozo (25:35) in second and third.
Meanwhile, Ma. Veronica Suarez (6:26) topped the girls' 1K event, while Olivia Grace Valdez (6:46) and Reign Isabel Famular (6:56) claimed the next two spots.
The Women’s Run PH series is organized by RunRio with KinetixSports of Kenneth Sai as the Davao organizer. The next event will be held at SM MOA in Pasay City on March 9, 2025, followed by Festive Walk Mall in Iloilo City on July 20, 2025.
Sponsored by ION+ as the official electrolyte drink partner and Summit as the official hydration partner, the run promotes an active, healthy lifestyle while fostering connections among participants. It also celebrates women’s strength, resilience, and empowerment.
SM Lanang Premier is the official event venue partner of Davao Women’s Run PH. MLSA
