Sports: Agravante Retain Title, Duran Dislodge Nobleza in 10-Km Title Panaad Race

Defending champions Jason Agravante retained his title in the men’s division but Jennlyn Nobleza was not as lucky as youthful and Palaro-bound Jelyn Duran dislodged her in the women’s side and even eclipsed Nobleza’s record in the 10km Open road race as part of the 19th Panaad sa Negros Festival at Panaad Park and Sports Stadium Saturday.

Agravante, 23, of Silay City clocked a slow time of 41 minutes and 50.05 seconds compared to his time last year in 41 minutes, 06.09 seconds. Anthony Babiera, 26, of Himamaylan City placed second in 42 minutes, 06.08 seconds; Joel Alcorin, 34,who placed second last year, was third at (43:05.95); Jeck Miser Escala, 20 of Cadiz City was fourth ( 43:20.85) and Arwen Sabunod, 24, of Calatrava (43:34.59) was fifth.

Duran, the 16, year old of Escalante City booked a new record of 49 minutes, 33.52 seconds erasing the old record of Nobleza (51:12.21) established last year. Nobleza of Silay City, placed second in 49 minutes, 46.85 seconds; followed by 17 years old Stephanie Cadosale of Escalante City (51:35.79); 15 years old Lovielyn Pamatian of Bago City placed third (51: 63.34) was fourth and 13 years old Phoebe Anne Lava of Manapla (55:63.20) placed fifth.

Duran also ruled the 5Km road race and went home with the top prize of P1, 500 last Thursday.

Duran, Cadosale and Pamatian were Palaro-bound to represent Western Visayas in the Department of Education-run annual conclave in Lingayen, Pangasinan.

The winners received cash prizes of P5, 000 for the champion; P3, 000 for 1st runner-up; P2, 000 for 2nd runner-up; P1, 000 for 3rd runner-up and P500 for 4th runner-up.

Eight years old Isaac Lava of Manapla was the youngest runner and Romeo Reyes, 71 of Silay City was the oldest and both received of P1, 000 special prizes.

Fifteen Local Government Units has send runners for the race, with 224 male and 80 female runners’ participated.*