Elite runners Moral, Burgos top 16K race in first leg of Trilogy Run in Manila

Elite runners Edsel Moral and Erica Nicole Burgos ruled their respective divisions in the 16K race of the Sante Barley Trilogy Run Asia held Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Complex.

Moral, champion of last year's National Finals, clocked in 52 minutes and 35 seconds in the first leg of the Manila race, beating the likes of Daniel Jorge Cadavos (57:50) and Manuel Payongayong (58:23).

In the women's division. national triathlon team member Burgos logged 1:05:33 to finish first, besting Maricar Camacho (1:07:28) and Jocelyn Elijeran (1:09:35).

According to Runrio president and CEO Rio dela Cruz, around 5000 out of more than 11000 runners joined the 16K race.

“We’re happy to see this turnout and actually, about 5,000 runners joined our 16K. It’s a strong indication to us that what we’ve done over the years has paid off as more and more runners are challenging themselves by taking these longer races,” he said.

In the 10K race, James Darrel Orduña (31:22), Eduard Flores (32:27), and Jan Brixiel Moncal (32:44) took the top three spots in the men's division, while Mea Gey Niñura (41:44), Cecille Wael (44:28), and Pauline Kaye Escuro (47:47) made the podium among the females.

Almie Perez Aiso (17:13), Sangsoek Lee Kangwoo (17:56), and Jay Fajela (19:28) were the top finishers in the men’s 5K, while Marjorie Diangkinay (25:11), Pauline Cases (25:34), at Luiji Amor Tiamzon (25:55) had the three best finishes in the women’s 5K.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News