NATIONAL TEAM members Julius Sermona and Christabel Martes shared the limelight yesterday by humbling their respective rivals in the 2005 Adidas King of the Road at the Adidas Sports Kamp in Bonifacio Global City.
The 27-year-old Sermona of Mamaylan, Negros Occidental timed 31 minutes and 23 seconds while Martes of La Trinidad, Benguet posted an impressive time of 35 minutes and 28 seconds.
They found little resistance from the field of 2,138 runners in the absence of two-time Olympian Eduardo Buenavista and Mercedita Manipol, who both ruled last year’s event. The two are also the reigning King and Queen of the Road in Asia.
Sermona and Buenavista will represent the country in the 5K and 10K events of the 23rd Southeast Asian Games here from Nov. 27 to Dec. 5. Martes will run in the 42K event along with Jho-an Banayag, while Manipol, who topped the 10K run of the 29th Milo Marathon finals last week, will compete in the women’s 5K and 10K races in the biennial meet.
Sermona and Martes each brought home
R10,000 in cash prize plus R20,000 worth of Adidas products. They also won trophies and Gentxt cellphones.
They will represent the country in the next Asian King of the Road.
Yesterday’s Adidas King of the Road race is presented by Globe Gentxt with the participation of Nissan Frontier Titanium 3. The race is also held in cooperation with Snickers Chocolate Bar, Cherifer Premium Multivitamins, Powerade, Viva Mineral Water, Milo and Blue Angel Alcohol.
Falling short of winning the top prize were Nelbert Ducusin and Abraham Barcarse, who crossed the line simultaneously at 33:19. Placing second to Martes was Flordeliza Carreon and third was Liza Delfin.
However, they all won in the age-group category.
Direct Link Runners Club bagged the team title while Makati Global Running Club placed second. The Mariners team A settled for third place.
The age-group winners were Gerald Cotchoco (9-12); Neilbert Ducusin and Carmina Bernardino (13-19); Abraham Barcarse and Flordeliza Carreon (20-29); Regie Lumauag and Liza Delfin (30-39) and Raul Lorbes and Rosario Alberto (40-above).
