BY ABBY TORALBA
MARITESS Nocyao of the Philippine Obstacle Course Federation ruled the Women’s Run PH yesterday at the SM by the Bay, topping the five-kilometer category in the event that fittingly celebrated women’s month.
Nocyao, 32, an OCR national athlete, shone by clocking 21 minutes and 52 seconds.
Backed by Watsons during the event, Nocyao said that joining the Women’s Run PH was part of their training for the OCR World Championships in Costa Rica in August.
“This is part of our training as a national athlete. Even Andrea (Estrella) is also part of the national team. It’s also part of her training. But we are competing for the World Championship this August sa Costa Rica,” Nocyao, who won a gold medal in the Cambodia Southeast Asian Games last year, said.
“So, this one, the Women’s Run, is part of our training,” she added.
Nocyao described her experience in the women’s running contest as a delightful one, saying: “Sobrang saya. You got to be celebrated, you get to be recognized you know, as a woman–srong and running together is really good, motivating each other, even sa kanina habang tumatakbo they are all pushing each other, smiling, you know ‘Sunday Fun-day’ which is really good to start the day and celebrate the women’s month.”
Krysha Macalalad finished second with a time of 25:27, while Sarah Bautista settled for the bronze with 25:29.
In the 10 km class, Maria Jonna Lina Abutas reigned supreme in 40 minutes and 34 seconds, followed by Maricar Camacho who was seven seconds behind, while Jennelyn Isibido wound up third in 47 minutes.
Feted in the event were Rosalinda Ogsiner, a 76-year-old female runner, mother and cancer survivor April Perreras, Pantay Tayo chairperson Thysz Estrada, and visually impaired OCS national athlete Andrea Estrella, who bagged a silver and bronze in the OCR World Championships last year.
“Watsons has always been a company that celebrates women. We at Watsons have always believed in equality and the right of every woman to go for her dreams and goals. This is what the run is all about,” Sharon Decapia, SAVP for Marketing, PR and Sustainability of Watsons, said.