Demafeliz, Ramay top Samal 50 race

BART Demafeliz of Base Camp and Christine Ramay clinched titles at the close of the Samal 50 Half-Ultra Trail Marathon held at the Casa Estrella Camp Resort in the Island Garden City of Samal (Igacos) over the weekend.

Demafeliz finished the 50-kilometer course in eight hours, eight minutes and 33 seconds to annex the male division title in the event that drew some 150 runners from Antique, General Santos City, Cagayan de Oro City, Panabo City, Tagum City and Davao City.

He raced past Jasper Mezias (8:55.07) and Doi Calbes (9:01.55) who placed second and third, respectively.

It was sweeter the second time around for Demafeliz who also joined last year but failed to get a podium finish.

"Very happy kasi nakaplace ako. The trail for this year is very technical and we like it. Preparation? Yung usual lang na ginagawa ng mga runner, daily exercise and workout," he said, adding that it was a fun and challenging experience joining Samal 50.

Ramay, for her part, ruled the distaff side after checking in 10:43.40, besting Irish Laurencia (10:46.20) and Mary Clairyfel Paner (11:17.23), who settled with runners-up honors.

Roberto Cain, meanwhile, won the men's 22k title over James Lescano and Roger Rata even as Cecilia Larobis of Team Titans Davao topped the women's 22K over Sofia Ayala and Maria Lourdes Bolivar in the annual event organized by Base Camp and Bagani Active Gear in partnership with Beach Camp, Province of Davao del Norte and Island Garden City of Samal.

The race was also backed by Advantage Seal Asiseals Corporation, Fitbar Trail Outdoors, BTR, Get up and Go and Unifrutti. ABM

WOMEN'S 50K WINNERS. From left, third placer Mary Clairyfel Paner, champion Christine Ramay and runner-up Irish Laurencia receive their bags courtesy of Bagani Active Gear during the awarding rites of Samal 50 Half-Ultra Trail Marathon that came to a...