NatGeo race: First 42K win for PE instructor

MANILA, Philippines — Aver Sister secured his first full marathon victory as early as the first three kilometers in the 5th National Geographic Earth Day run Sunday at Bonifacio Global City in Taguig.

The 35-year-old Sister, a Physical Education instructor at Makati Science High School, clocked 3 hours, 30 minutes and 39 seconds and took home P10,000.

Cesar Bellen placed second in 3:41.25 while Loreto Marquez was third in 3:41.55.

“The race marshals told me I can slow down because they didn’t see anybody trailing me,” said Sister, who was joined by 499 other runners in NatGeo’s first full marathon event.

Decerel Mendoza ruled the distaff side in 4:24.06, followed by Analiza Marzan (4:34.54) and Maureen Curameng (4:42.49).

Topping the 21K male category were Kenyan Jackson Chirchir (1:17.02), Mark Peralta (1:21.58) and Marvin Jusay (1:27.01).

The female top placers were Luisa Raterta (1:36.35), Lea Coline Langit (1:43.36) and Tesalonica Bonachita (1:56.25).

Proceeds of the race will go to World Wide Fund for Nature’s Banca for the Philippines project.