BERNARDO DESAMITO Jr. outsteadied Cresenciano Sabal in a mad dash to the finish line yesterday to rule the 17th Yakult 10Miler yesterday at the Cultural Center of the Philippines Complex in Pasay City.
Desamito, the reigning Pasig River International Marathon champion, and Sabal, this year’s Milo Marathon king, broke away from the main pack early in the 16-kilometer race and ran side by side the rest of the way until the final four kilometers where Desamito started to pull away slowly but surely.
In a determined bid to catch up Desamito, Sabal kicked to another gear but it was too late.
"Nagpalitan lang kami ng pacing niyan (Sabal) pero nung nakuha ko ang harapan, di na siya nakahabol," said Desamito, who completed the course in 52 minutes and four seconds.
Sabal crossed the finish line two seconds behind.
Desamito pocketed the
R7,000 purse while Sabal settled for R3,000.
Completing the top five were veteran runners Alquin Bolivar (53:28), Reynaldo delos Reyes (54:46) and Rio dela Cruz (54:56).
The distaff side was topped by the comebacking Flordeliza Carreon of Baguio City who led all the way to win in 1:04:11.
After ruling the 42K Manila leg of the Milo Marathon last year, Carreon took a break from running due to motherhood. She started competing only last month and after two races.
Liza Delfin came in second while Mila Paje placed third. Rounding the top five were Librada Tamson and Genalyn Canete.
All finishers in yesterday’s race received Yakult running singlets and a bottle of Yakult, the unique health drink with lactobacili shirota strain.
The top three finishers in the men’s 5K run were Jerome Baredo (16:59) Jaime Canillo (17:14), and Roy Ocon (17:44.
The women’s 5K run was ruled Mary Ann Bucog topped the women’s 5K (20:15) with Maricel Yambao (23:51) and Carmina Bernardino (25:28) finishing second and third, respectively.
The winners in the 3K age-group run were Michael Dichoso, David Chadder and Anthony Villaceran in the boys 6-9 and Michelle Devera, Dada Bugnon and Marian Labadan in the girls 6-9.
The boys 10-12 was topped by Michael Seville, Bernard Dulnuan and Mervin Arbas while the girls 10-12 category was dominated by Macrose Dichoso, Melinda Dilla and Jennelyn Bruce.
