Long-distance runner Raquin tops NatGeo Earth Day Run

Former University of Santo Tomas (UST) long-distance runner Irineo Raquin won the 10-kilometer event of the National Geographic Earth Day run at the SM Mall of Asia grounds in Pasay City over the weekend. Raquin, a mainstay in local races but never a top finisher, bested Elmer Sabal and Kenyan Willy Rotich for the men’s crown with a time of 30 minutes and 52 seconds to pocket the P5,000 top prize. Sabal settled for second place worth P3,000 by crossing the finish line six seconds later while Rotich’s 34:11 was good for third place and P2,000. Raquin broke away from Sabal and Rotich halfway through the contest and secured the title by outlasting the two runners who tried to regain the lead in the last kilometer of the race. “Sinuwerte (I got lucky)," was all the 25-year-old Raquin, who represented the National Capital Region in the 2005 Palarong Pambansa. It was a sweet triumph for Raquin, who placed second to Alley Quisay in the SlimmeRun 10-K contest held at the Bonifacio Global City in Taguig last Saturday. Nhea Ann Barcena topped the women’s division crossing the finish line in 42:52 while Miscelle Gilbuera (43:20) and Nelly Chelimo (47:50) settled for second and third, respectively. Jujet De Asis ruled the 5-kilometer men’s event (16:40) followed by Gerald Sabal (16:45) and Jonathan Kiptanui (17:05).The women’s 5k tiara went to Michelle De Vera (21:43) while Adjennie Rose Delos Santos (22:51) and Merlyn Lumagbas (23:57) salvaged second and third place finishes. In the 3k contest, Milbert Nabu-Ab crossed the finish line with a 10:09 clocking to win the men’s event followed by Abundio Coral Jr. (10:57) and Jowel Taguinod (11:26) while Rowena Pico (15:19) topped the women’s event while Karylle Tatlonghari (15:42) and Jana Paula Datu (17:54) ending up at second and third. – Perry Legaspi, GMANews.TV