Boholano runners bagged 21K

gold finishes in Sandugo BIM

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, Aug 28 (PIA)—Boholano runners upped their game plans, at least for the 21 kilometer races, to prove that the hosts do not easily lie on their backs and succumb to challenge, in fact would fight to the end never yielding an inch.

Boholano runners James Palma and April Joy Alampayan, waved the Bohol tricolors until the end of the 21 kilometer course, to rule in the men and women category, earning gold medals in the event participated in by 1,592 registered runners.

Palma outclassed his rivals and enjoyed a steady 3.8 minutes per kilometer pace from start to finish strong breasting the Bohol International Marathon tape at 1:20.55 seconds, or six minutes ahead of his fastest contender.

Cebu runner Aaron Sabal, wearing race bib no. 3122 broke into the finish line at 1:26.52 for a pace of about a little over 4 minutes per kilometer and then followed by another Cebu runner Cleos Navarro in bib number 2919 chugging in at 1:32.58 seconds.

On the distaff, Alampayan also showed the true Boholana grit with a convincing 1:31.12 time to top the women in the 21 kilometer race.

Wearing bib number 2046, Alampayan in fact surged way past the pace male runners maintained to be the third runner to cross the finish line, adrenaline still pumping high in the teen’s blood.

Alampayan was just 5 minutes after Sabal, who was Palma’s strongest contender.

Three minutes later, Cebuana runner Kay Razel Cundangan (2404) crossed the finish line second to Alampayan at 1:34.42 seconds, who had also Joy Beltran in bib number 2213 clocking in at 1:35.32.

In the 42 kilometer full marathon, Bukidnon native and Cebu welder Florendo Lapiz in bib 4546, finished the entire course in a surreal 2:41.31 seconds, followed by 5080 runner from Bacolod Maclin Sadia who crossed the end line at 2:51.30.

Cebuano runner Ian Simbajon in bib 4900 cleared the entire course in 3:09.15 to be third in the male category.

In the female category for the 42 kilometer run, Ave Marie Abos in race bib 4014 finished the course in 3:55.28 seconds, followed seven minutes later by Mary Rose Catamco (4265) with a 4:02.36 seconds.

Abos come in 38th over-all, while Catamco, the female’s second places is 52nd to finish the 42 kilometer run.

After Catamco is the 70th overall, Josephine Rodriguez who crossed the line in 4:10.27.

There were a total of 1089 registrants in the 42 kilometer race, but only 990 came to finish the race; the rests either did not start, did not finish, got disqualified or got QRYed.

It was again a race between the rivalry of Cebuanos and Boholanos in the 10 kilometer run.

In the male category, real estate agent Jovan Bensig (1157) finished the 10 kilometer distance in 35:47, followed by Boholano Francis Rey Galo (1173) exactly 5 minutes later.

Coming in third is 1059 Frank Cedric Go at 44:16.

In the female category, 1179 Cebuano Jeanly Mata emerged first, the fourth to arrive in the 10 kilometer category at 46:32 followed by Boholana Joan Louella Lim on bib 1175 at 49:59.

Third in their category is yet another Boholana Stephanie Berg (1158) clocking in at 1:03:15.

There were 211 registered runners in the category: 181 completed the course while some 30 registrants could not start, could not finis, got disqualified or got QRYed.

In the 5 kilometer run, male category, 5289 runner Kent William Gersan logged in first with 18:25, followed by 5203 runner Juan Miguel Aguipo at 19:39. Runner 5216 John Christopher Barbas came in third at 20:17.

In the women side: Kydie Ashriel Guinto found gold in her 21:38 finish, followed by 5287 Mary Jean Maquiling at over 10 minutes later: 33:41. Then it was 5369 runner Annabelle Lim who completed the podium finishing at 33:59.

Some 164 runners registered in the 5 kilometer run: only 128 completed the race.

At this, Bohol governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado, who himself is an athletic biker, called on Boholanos to help the province in selling Bohol as another wholesome family sports tourism destination, something that would fully complement the tourism industry here.

Aside from getting the most needed revenues, sports activities also encourage physical fitness through training for competitions, something that could keep the young busy in disciplined training, camaraderie and high level of sportsmanship.

The BIM is one among the many activities under the Tigi stream of the Sandugo Festival in 2024. (PIABohol)

WHOLESOME SHOWCASE. The annual Bohol International marathon has not just become a showcase of Boholano hospitality, wholesome family destination, complete sports staycation venue but also a venue for showcasing local food. The BIM has put numerous aid stations along the route, putting whole lechon baboy, lechon baka, full meals and desserts for the runners to also enjoy or test their discipline. (PIABohol/BE GRAND)