Abella dominates All Women Ultra

• Source: http://www.philstar.com/cebu-news/2017/03/12/1680311/denr-forges-25-year-deal-orgs-agro-forestry-program
• Sunday, March 12, 2017

By May B. Miasco (The Freeman)

LIZANE Abella of the Spectrum Runners Club set a new event record and clinched the 6th All Women Ultramarathon (Awum) title at the Il Corso Grounds in South Road Properties, Cebu City yesterday.

The 28-year-old Abella completed the 50-kilometer race in 4 hours, 30 minutes and 32 seconds, shattering the record of 4:38 set by Mereeis Ramirez in 2014.

Abella dethroned her teammate, Presciosa Sanchez, who crossed the finish line in 4:59:01 for third place. The 2015 champion Sandra Soliano, also from Spectrum Runners Club, snagged second place with a time of 4:41:12.

“I did not expect to win since I just got back into running after I recovered for my right leg injury. I just prepared for two weeks for this race,” said the Minglanilla, Cebu native Abella. “I did not force my game and just maintained on my pace throughout the race. I just watched my movements because I was scared that my injury would get back.”

June Marq Ocana of Omega Pro Tri Team nabbed fourth place in 5:05:49, while Cagayan de Oro City’s Jennifer Red Sabela of Team Heaven took fifth place in 5:07:37.

Those who made the top 10 are Rona Lacanlale of Paksit Runner (5:15:16), Mari Marivic of Team CPPO (5:17:04), Wilma Theresa Lugay of Oval Runners (5:17:40), Janice Gabales of Team Heaven (5:18:26), and Rhoda Oporto of Paksit Runner (5:18:31).

The 6th Awum, part of the Women’s Month Celebration, had 300 female runners. There were 290 finishers, five failed to finish while the other five runners finished beyond the cutoff time.

“So much thanks to our sponsors, the different run clubs, triathlon teams, PNP personnel, barangay officials/ tanods, traffic enforcers, race marshal and most especially the Awumers themselves for making our 6th edition successful and enjoyable,” said race director Willie Estepa.