Guarte, Tolentino stamp class in Olympic Day Run

Mervin Guarte of San Sebastian College-Manila and Aileen Tolentino of Frontrunner-Maynilad dominated their respective events in the premier 10-kilometer race ofthe Olympic Day Run that started and ended at the Plaza Raja Sulayman grounds of Roxas Blvd. in Manila Sunday. The 17-year-old Guarte, a sophomore Hotel and Restaurant student, posted a time of 32 minutes and 17 seconds to pocket the gold medal and P10,000 cash from the organizing Philippine Olympic Committee (POC). Relegated to silver and bronze medal finishes were Darwin Lim (33:29) and Rafael Poliquit, Jr. (33:37), who were awarded P5,000 and P3,000 cash, respectively. In the distaff side, Tolentino clocked 41:56 and was followed to the finish line by Nhe Ann Barcena (42:26) and Mila Robiso-Paje (45:43). The three received P1,000 each for their top three finishes created as part of the country’s celebration of the International Olympic Committee’s anniversary. Also recognized were the top three male and female winners in the 5-kilometer wheelathon, disabled race and 2-kilometer, 13-below events. Tahanang Walang Hagdan swept the 5k event with its entries Juanito Mingarine (19:21), Julius Obero (19:37) and Marcos Rabasto 19:43) topping the men’s event while their teammates topped the women’s side with Lenny Diaz (25:30), Paz Lita (27:58) and Ma. Africita Salazar (29:24) rounding the top three. Leveriza Running Club, meantime, swept the 2k boys event with Rance Gabian (8:07), Anderson Arawag (8:46) and Mario Policarpio (9:32) bagging the top three spots. In the same event, Michelle de Vera of Parañaque City (11:01) led runners in the girls division followed by Leveriza entries Alex Nacu (11:49) and Mica Joy Gabian (11:58). On hand to give the rewards were Philippine Olympic Committee (POC ) president Jose Cojuangco, Jr., International Olympic Committee (IOC) representative to the Philippines Francisco Elizalde, Jr. and POC spokesperson/POC Sports for All Committee (SFAC) chairman Jose Romasanta. - RCJ/Perry Legaspi, GMANews.TV