Pescos, Abella rule maiden 7-Eleven Run

Rafael Pescos and Lizane Abella, both members of Spectrum Runners Club, etched their names in stone as the first full marathon champions of the 7Eleven Run yesterday at the Cebu Business Park.

Pescos bagged the all-Filipino men’s 42K title with a personal record of two hours, 37 minutes and 39 seconds. His previous best time stood at 2:38:12.

Pescos finished second overall to Kenyan Joseph Mururi, who topped the overall rankings with a time of 2:36:16. Azlan Pagay wound up third in 2:47:15.

“I consider this one as my ultimate race because I wanted to compete in an international marathon for the second time,” said Pescos, whose first stint abroad was in Danang International Marathon in Vietnam last year.

In the women’s division, Abella emerged as the overall champion with a3:20:06 clocking.

Marie Stephan Jayson (3:39:57) and Ivy Christine Muscosa (4:11:33) finished second and third place, respectively.

In the women’s 21K battle, Cebuana Olympian Mary Joy Tabal was the fastest with the time of 1:23:07. Ruffa Sorongon (1:27:57) and Aileen Tolentino (1:30:31) occupied the next two spots.

The top three in the men’s 21K were Kenyan Eric Chepsiror (1:09:41), Prince Joey Lee ( 1:10:50) and Bennie Murillo (1:20:16).

In the 16K category, Florendo Lapiz and Melody Perez reigned supreme with a time of 56:22 and 1:06:43, while the 10K champions were Jouie Bajan (34:30) and Geniecel Saballa ( 41:24). —

Gloreitta T. Lariosa