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SEASONED runners Eduardo Buenavista and Jho-Ann Banayag topped their
respective divisions in the lung-busting 21-kilometer race of the
1st Manila Half-Marathon held in the historic Quirino Grandstand
over the weekend.
After recovering from a knee injury he sustained
during the Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) last year, the 29-year-old
Buenavista revived his glory days as he negotiated the race in one
hour, two minutes and 57.93 seconds.
“Nakarekober na ako matapos ang ilang buwang
pahinga at masaya ako dahil nakabalik na ako sa porma,” said
Buenavista, a two-time Olympian and a bronze medal winner in the
2007 SEA Games.
“Sana magtuluy-tuloy na ang magandang takbo ko
dahil gusto kong makuhang muli ang gintong medalya sa 2009 SEA Games
sa Laos. Magandang pagkakataon ang pagsali ko dito [sa Manila
Marathon] bilang paghahanda na rin sa mga susunod na tournaments na
sasalihan ko,” he added.
Reigning National Milo Marathon champion
Cresenciano Sabal settled for second place with his time of one
hour, three minutes and 42.36 seconds while Juniel Languido landed
in third place after crossing the finish line in one hour, four
minutes and 9.76 seconds.
Rounding up the Top 5 finishers were former
marathon king Allan Ballester (1:05:31.21) and Alquin Bolivar
(1:06:44.36).
On the other hand, Banayag displayed tremendous
pacing all throughout the race to top the women’s class in one
hour, 15 minutes and 49.16 seconds.
“Nasa kondisyon ako ngayon kaya hindi ako
gaanong nahirapan. Malaking tulong ang physical conditioning na
ginawa ko ilang linggo bago ako sumali dito dahil naihanda ko talaga
ang katawan ko,” stressed Banayag, also a SEA Games bronze
medalist.
Banayag, owner of the national marathon record
of 2:44:41, edged fellow national mainstay Christabel Martes who
registered 1:17:06.09 while Marecil Maquilan completed the cast of
podium finishers in 1:17:28.55.
Other finishers in women’s were Ailene
Tolentino (1:17:51.53) and Analiza Vargas (1:25:49.30).
Buenavista and Banayag earned a P10,000 in cash,
a trophy and a refrigerator in the event sponsored by Unilever,
Condura, Silog Express, Coca-Cola, T-Rex Marketing Corporation and
Edsa Grand Residences.
-- Emil C. Noguera
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