RANGED against over 8,000 runners from all walks of life, national team standouts Richard Solano and Christine Hallasgo emerged as the best entries when all the dust settled last Sunday morning at the Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay.
Showing they were a cut above the rest, Solano and Christine Hallasgo easily ruled the maiden Leg of the HOKA Trilogy Run Asia Manila.
Solano wound up with the best mark among males in the 16K race, clocking 50 minutes and six seconds–two seconds faster than runner-up Ricky Organiza (50:08), with Kevin Cruz placing third in 53:28.
Hallasgo stamped her mark among the female entries with a time of one hour, one minute and 47 seconds, handily beating Nhea Ann Barcena (1:03:13) and Maricar Camacho (1:05:52).
James Orduna (32:03) and Maria Jona Lina Abutas (42:24) topped the 10K run while Noli Tore (16:14) and Jonezamie Sustituedo (23:13) emerged the fastest in the 5K race.
The success of the event left RUNRIO founder and CEO Rio Dela Cruz elated no end.
“It is a progression race kung saan nais natin na ang mga runner ay ma-develop mula sa mababa patungo sa mas mahabang distansiya,” Dela Cruz said.
“Maraming aspiring na marathoners so gusto nating maging partner nila iyong RUNRIO sa journey nila,” he added.
The Manila Leg 1 was co-presented by RUNRIO, HOKA, Gatorade, Le Minerale, Sante Barley, PAGCOR, and the Department of Tourism.
“It’s fantastic. It’s encouraging that many people in the Philippines are taking fitness seriously,” Derek Wyllie, Map Active PH Country General Manager, said.
Aside from the fastest finishers, the top three per age group were also feted in the event.
Leg 2 of the Manila race series is set for June 2, while Leg 3 is on Aug. 4.
There will be other races from June to October in Baguio, Cebu, Bacolod/Iloilo, Cagayan de Oro, and Davao, before the TRA National finals on Dec. 8 which will have 10K, 21K, and 42K races.
