Kenyans Place 1-2 in Male Division of 20K leg in NCR PhilHealth Run

Showing their finisher’s certificates are the 20k male division winners, Jackson Chir-chir (middle), 1st place; Elphil Kipgerich (3rd from left), 2nd place; and Eduardo Buenavista (2nd from left), 3rd place.

Also in photo are PhilHealth Board Members Ana Theresia N. Hontiveros-Baraquel (extreme left) and Dr. Alexander A. Ayco (3rd from right), PhilHealth’s EVP-COO Ramon F. Aristoza, Jr. (2nd from right) and Smart Communications Senior Manager for Community Partnerships Darwin Flores (extreme right)Quezon City ---- KENYAN Jackson Chir-Chir won the male category of the 20 kilometer leg of the recently-concluded Simultaneous Nationwide Run of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth).

He won over his fellow Kenyan contender Elphil Kipgerich with a time of 1:03:01 while the latter recorded 1:04:51. Eduardo Buenavista, a 36-year-old long-distance runner and two-time Olympian from General Santos City, came out third with a time of 1:05:31.

10K female category 3rd placer Merlyn Lumagbas discusses her running experience to a TV reporter who also joined the run.

In the women’s division of the 20K category, 19-year-old Criselyn Jaro, the unstoppable native of Davao bagged the top spot. Currently residing in Sampaloc, Manila, Jaro is a consistent top runner in various categories in running events in the country. Jaro finished with a time of 1:20:30 beating Susan Jemutai and Janette Lumida with a time of 1:22:31 and 1:26:48, respectively.

Completing the line-up of the female top three finishers in various distances were Cellie Rose Jaro (42:18), Janice Marquez (46:15) and Merlyn Lumagbas (47:28) for the 10K; Jenismyll Mabunga (21:78), Alysa Alison (23:28) and Marian Mera (28:47) for the 5K; and Mary Ann Sta. Cruz (10:08:18), Vilma Sta. Ana (10:18:72) and Ma. Angelica Gahulin (12:16:00) for the 3K.

On the other hand, another Kenyan runner, Alex Molly made it to the top in the 10K male division with a time of 30:31 followed by Joackim Kembon (31:55) and Melvin Guarte (38:22). Likewise, Reggie Lumawag registered the fastest in the 5K category with 20:37 clocking while Jun Bacus (21:09) and Ronelio Solis (21:22) came out second and third, respectively.

The 3K top finishers (L-R) Ma. Angelica Gahulin(3rd), Mary Ann Sta. Cruz (1st) and Vilma Sta. Ana(2nd).

For the 3K distance, the top finishers were Elbren Neri (8:07:19), Wenlie Maulas (8:08:52) and Jojie Daga-as (8:16:73).

A total of 9,987 runners joined the running event in the National Capital Region. Proceeds of the run will go to its chosen beneficiary, the Golden Reception and Action Center for the Elderly and other Special Cases in Quezon City.

The simultaneous nationwide PhilHealth run was made possible by People’s Television Network, Inc., Pfizer Philippines, Nine Media Corporation, Tupperware Brands Philippines, Oishi and Smart Communications, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, Air Juan, Maxima Machineries Incorporated and Land Bank of the Philippines. (END)(Michelle S. Nisperos)