Spectrum runners grab 3 Ultra crowns

Rafael Pescos ruled the Speed 50 Ultramarathon Challenge and shattered the event’s record in the men’s 50-kilometer division yesterday at the LapuLapu City Hall.

Pescos, one of Cebu’s top long distance runners, clocked 3 hours and 30 minutes in the 50k race, erasing the previous best time 3:40 set by Desiderio Engbino two years ago.

Pescos of Spectrum Runners Club bagged the men’s overall title and gave his team the fourth straight title in the event. Engbino won the event in 2015 and 2016 and Edilberto Batiancila won in 2017.

The race was the first ultramarathon for Pescos following his win in the 2018 Cebu Marathon two weeks ago.

Elsewhere, Cebu’s ultra runners Engino and Preciosa Sanchez of Spectrum Runners Club won the men’s and women’s overall title in the Bataan Death March (BDM) 102K Ultrmarathon yesterday in Bataan.

Engbino finished the grueling 102K run in 10:35:00 to win the men’s title, he was followed by teammate Batianciala in 10:36:00.

Sanchez, meanwhile, topped the women’s division in 12:31:00 and was 12th overall.

The runners followed the route of the Bataan Death March during World War 2.

“The hardwork of our runners really paid off. They are all disciplined and motivated,” said Spectrum president Gerry Mayo.

Pescos is preparing to suit up for 7-Eleven Run Philippines on Feb. 4 and SM2SM Run on Feb. 18. /