Raquin, Tolentino rule Merrell run

Ireneo Raquin relegated Bernardo Desamito to another runner-up finish while Ailene Tolentino came out a winner this time in the 2nd Merrell Adventure Run yesterday at the Timberland Heights in San Mateo, Rizal.

The 26-year-old Raquin, a former University of Santo Tomas runner, topped the centerpiece 21K event in one hour and 34 minutes to romp off with the P15,000 top prize.

Desamito, who placed second to Crescenciano Sabal in last year’s shorter 15K division held at Wawa Dam in Rodriguez, Rizal, timed 1:36:18 and settled for P11,000.  Third placer Elmer Sabal clocked 1:37:05 and pocketed P9,000.

Tolentino ruled the women’s division in 2:04:12.  Second was Cindy Lorenzo (2:04:16) while National duathlete Mirasol Abad (2:12:52) placed third.

“The uphill routes and the slippery terrain made the race route really challenging,” Raquin said in Filipino.

Roger Denolo ruled the 10K event in 42:57, followed by Kenya’s Abraham Missos (44:17) and Carlito Fantilaga (45:14).

Janette Lumidao took advantage of a costly slip by Marecil Maquilan in the final kilometer to win the distaff side in 59:18.  Maquilan timed 1:00.3 while Jenelyn Surdilla came in third in 1:04.40.

“I was leading all the way until I slipped,” said Maquilan in Filipino.

The 5K male winners were Dave Gumacol (21:52), RG Lumawag (23:58) and Hamza Jaripada (24:39) while the women’s top three placers were Mizel Rivera (27:44), Jo Marie Alison (30:39) and May Benedicto (31:40).

The top three 10K finishers took home P8,000, P6,000 and P4,000 while the 5K podium finishers were awarded P3,000, P2,000 and P1,000.

Medals were given to the top 20 plaers in the 10K and 5K races while 21K participants who made the cutoff time were also given medals.  Certificates will be sent via e-mail to all finishers after two weeks.