Mary Joy Tabal fastest in Run United 2

Triathlon specialist Mary Joy Tabal topped the premiere 32k event of the Run United 2 women's race on Sunday, even as fellow Cebuano John Philip Duenas placed second in the men's division.

Tabal posted a time of two hours, 11 minutes and 28 seconds in the course which started at the KM 0 in Luneta Park and proceeded southward toward the Cavitex and back for the finish.

It was the first time in the history of the Run United and the local footrace that Cavitex was utilized, giving runners a straight path before coming back on almost the same route in finishing their 32 and 21 kilometer events.

But because Cavitex and the Roxas Blvd. are major thoroughfares which link Metro Manila to nearby Southern provinces, the organizers were forced to imposed cut-off times on runners negotiating the long-distance races.

But for Tabal, it was not the new route and the distance which provided the challenge.

Tabal had to put up with an upset stomach and the sweltering heat before bagging the top spot, relegating former national runner and MILO marathon champion Christabel Martes (2:11:58) to second place. Luisa Raterta eventually finished third with a 2:27:52 output.

"May nainom yata akong hindi maayos na tubig dito sa Maynila," said Tabal, a Cebu-based runner competing under the banner of Team Asics.

It was a fruitful Sunday for Team Asics as Duenas shared the limelight with men's 32K eventual champion Eliud Kerring (1:59:34) of Kenya by posting the second best clocking of 2:03:38. Kenyan Philip Ronoh (2:04:31) completed the top three spots.

In the men's 21K, Richard Salano (1:13:50) defeated Kenyan Willy Tanui (1:15:50) for the title while Gregg Vincent Osorio (1:18:28) completed the podium finishers.

Another Kenyan, Irine Kipchumba (1:32:07), won the 21k women's race, relegating local runners Nhea Barcena (1:33:56) and Crisalyn Jaro (1:34:34) to second and third.

Kenyans also dominated the men's 10k event with a 1-2 finish by Elphiz Kiptaruz (31:50) and Jackson Chirchir (33:07). Filipino runner Sonny Wagdos (33:34) posted a third place finish.

In the women's 10k side, Cindy Lorenzo (43:26), Cellie Jaro (44:49) and 12-year-old Leonalyn Raterta (46:47) emerged as the top three finishers. - AMD, GMA News