VISITING Pablo Gonzales of Spain and Manilyn Mamugay of Mati City booked tickets to the Merapoh Trail Run in Malaysia with an all-expense paid trip after winning the Mt. Apo Sky and Vertical Race on Saturday, April 30, in Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur.
Gonzales checked in at 12 hours and six minutes to rule the men's 70 kilometer (km) race over Rexel Aguirre of Panabo City (13:46) and Aleksis Capili of Thailand (14:46) who placed second and third, respectively.
Mamugay, for her part, timed 17:26 hours to rule the distaff side over Mary Kristine Hernandez of Luzon (19:54) and Daisy Yuro Linas of Hong Kong (20:48) who occupied the next two places in the event presented by the Visit Davao Fun Sale (VDFS) in partnership with Department of Tourism (DOT) Davao Region and the local government unit of Sta. Cruz.
James Lescano of host municipality Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur, meanwhile, secured the men's 35 km title after clocking 4:28 hours, besting next two finishers Eddie Lupio (4:48) and Arnel Danglan (5:11) of Panabo City.
In the distaff side, Shalini Labarinto of Koronadal City registered 5:59 to race past Aren Amigleo of Bukidnon City (6:16) and Dayang-Dayang Deliw of Manila (6:21).
A total of 140 participants including runners from Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong, United States of America, Russia, Belgium, Kazakhstan, Span and Philippines competed in the race organized by Romualdo "Doi" Calbes.
They all received finisher’s medals and certificates.