Cebuanos dominate 21K division of Bohol International Marathon

MARY Joy Tabal and John Philip Dueñas led a Cebu sweep of the 21K division in the Bohol International Marathon at the Panglao Church Plaza.

Tabal topped the women’s 21K with an unofficial time of 1 hour and 24 minutes, en route to her second title in the annual event. She topped the 2011 staging and skipped the next two editions.

Triathlete and running coach Dueñas, who was supposed to compete in the full marathon, felt discomfort on his legs a day before the race, forcing him to down the men’s 21K.

The change did him good as the Cobra Ironman 70.3 Filipino elite silver medalist managed to top his division. Dueñas suffered blisters in both legs during the run, but still finished the race in an unofficial time of 1:15 to take his second title as well.

Cebu-based Ruffa Sorongon placed second to Tabal in the women’s 21K, and Parklane’s Emmanuel Comendador fin- ished second to Dueñas in the men’s 21K.

The 10K was also dominated by Cebuanos. Prince Joey Lee of University of Cebu (UC) showed top the men’s 10K, while Keisha Mae Delechos reigned in the women’s division. She was followed by Lucille Ruiz.

Meanwhile, hardcore ul- tramarathoner Jade Abellana shone in the full marathon and crossed the finish line third. Mereiz Ramirez of Dumaguete City, who races every weekend in Cebu, finished second to Kenyan Irene Kipchumba.

The organizers are set to release the official time of the runners today.