Unabia, Jaro win Araw ng Dabaw marathon

ATHLETIC coach Arnold Unabia of Tangub City and Davao's newest sensation Cynthia Jaro finally earned their first 42K crown yesterday in the Araw ng Dabaw Phoenix Marathon held in an out-and-back course at the Roxas Avenue, this city.

THE CHAMPION. Arnold Unabia (center) of Tangub City receives his P30,000 cash prize for winning the men's 42K footrace in the 2012 Araw ng Dabaw Phoenix Marathon held Sunday in an out-and-back course at Roxas Avenue in Davao City. Beside him is Debbie Uy of Phoenix Petroleum Phils. Inc. (Photo by LITO DELOS REYES)

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According to sportswriter Lito Delos Reyes, Unabia, 32, who handles the Tangub City running team, broke away from the lead pack in the last five kilometers and never looked back to bag the men's title with a time of two hours, 43 minutes and 12 seconds.


Unabia, who placed 14th in last year's National MILO Marathon finals in Manila, left his closest pursuer in the last one kilometer and relegated Bukidnon's Junel Languido to second with a clocking of 2:43:17.

Davao's James Castillo finished third at 2:44:41 followed by fellow Dabawenyo Brian Lupio (2:48:12), who completed the four-man lead pack in the last 20K.

"Giubos na nako ang tanan sa last three kilometers.Ako na gi-diretso," said Unabia, whose two young wards Jhanine Eve Mansueto (42:38) and Jojielyn Mae Pepito (44:34) had also won first and third, respectively both in the women's 10K race.

Completing the men's top 10 finishers in the 42K are Gilbert Maluyo (2:50:35), Mario Ecalner (2:53:29), Jensen Lyd Pasaporte (3:00:11), Ronald Dagang (3:08:01), Elmer Bartolo (3:09:45) and Jonathan Pido (3:11:50).

In the distaff side, Jaro failed to break her personal best of 3:04 but still managed to outlast veteran Ma. Stella Mamac-Diaz, who is making a comeback after giving birth to her fourth child last year.

The 21-year old Jaro of Brokenshire College clocked 3:19:51 after leaving behind the 39-year old former national teammember in the seven kilometers.

"Ang target ko lang talaga was only 3:20," said Jaro after bagging her first ever full marathon title.

Jaro, a third year P.E. student major in sports and wellness management, previously placed second behind Kenyan Joan Jenuto in the Sinulog International Marathon last January 8 in Cebu City.

Diaz, second placer in the 2009 Quezon City International Marathon and 2004 National Milo Marathon champion, had a time of 3:37:32 to cop second place.

She was followed by the Avergonzado sisters Vivian (3:42:54) and Emely (3:50:49). The 5th to 10th placers were Michelle Ann Aclo (4:02:13), Helen Palma (4:14:46), Joy Mawalic (4:26:40), Verginia Tumapon (4:35:15), Keilah Rodriguez (4:40:35) and Tiny Buenaventura (4:46:58).

Davao's Anthony Nerza (1:14:30) and Cebu's Mary Grace delos Santos (1:25:29) emerged top finishers in the 21K while the other champions were Sonny Wagdos (men's 10K), Michael Ian Constantino (5K men), Meezel Cabreros (women's 5K), Marie Arabelle Abellana (500m girls 5-8 yrs.old), Joshua Dayon (500m boys 5-8), Marian Dojo (500m girls 9-12) and Kecir Abrigon (500m boys 9-12).

Only 2,000 runners answered the gunstart compared to last year's 4,000 runners.

"Mahal kasi yung registration fee sa 5K," said one of the regular runners of a running club.

Debby Uy of the organizing Phoenix Petroleum Phils. Inc. awarded the cash prizes, trophies and medals to the winners.

The event was managed by the Vantage Sports Promotion headed by Kenneth Sai.