The heavy downpour started in the wee hours of the morning and continued by daybreak although it was reduced to light rain. But this did not dampen the enthusiasm of the participants of Run UP 12 who gathered at the Oblation Plaza of UP Visayas, Iloilo City campus on August 19, 2023.
Off to a good start were the 21K runners who were released first, followed by the 10K. By the time the 3K runners were off, the rain had stopped.
Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor, Jr., along with fellow alumni, was among those who joined the fun run.
“This event gathers all sectors of the UPV faculty, staff, REPS, students, and of course our alumni, who are the lead organizers of this event. We are truly one community. We also welcome our runner friends who joined this morning,” said UPV Chancellor Clement Camposano who gave a short greeting midway through the event.
The runners were divided into two groups, namely, the UP and non-UP participants competing in three categories which are: 21K, 10K, and 3K. The participants from the UP group are high school and college students, faculty, and staff.
The UP winners for the 21k, 10k, and 3K categories are as follows:
* 21K, male category: Jun Ramirez (COP-BIDANI) - 1st place; March Fernandez - 2nd; and Greg Calubiran - 3rd place.
* 21K, female category: Che-che Demo-os - 1st place; Mary Li Nulada (OVCRE) - 2nd place; and Amihan Faith Tantiado - 3rd place.
* 10K, male category: James David Lopez – 1st; Alex Cayanan (RRC) – 2nd; and Ramonito Tubungbanua - 3rd.
* 10K, female: Emily Singbengco – 1st; Mia Elise Bugna, 2nd; and Jamaica Escosa, 3rd.
* 3K, male category: Austin Zerrudo - 1st; Lean Anthony Araneta - 2nd; and Ramonito Tubungbanua – 3rd.
* 3K, female category: Alexis Gwen Lee -1st; LC May Gasit – 2nd; and Emmy Belle Villanueva – 3rd.
The winners along with their non-UP counterparts were awarded cash prizes and medals at the end of the event. All that crossed the finish line of the 21K were also given a finisher’s medal.
A total of 461 runners registered in this year’s Run UP 12. A few were not able to make it for being stranded from their residence because of the rain.
The event was organized by the UP Silak and Silab fraternity and sorority groups. (With reports from Eric Elesteria)
