ACCIDENTAL WINNER?

Joel Alcorin sprinting his way to the finish line of the PLDT Smart 10 Miler

Joel Alcorin, the 31-year-old runner from Bacolod City, said he didn’t expect to win the PLDT Smart 10 Miler last Sunday.

            But when the opportunity presented itself in the last 200 meters or so of the race, he went for it to upset Adonis Singson.

            “When stepped on the track, I saw him almost approaching the turn. But I realized I have done a lot of speed work and went for it,” Alcorin told this writer in Hiligaynon after the race.

            Alcorin was just behind the pacesetting Singson. As the two runners made the last turn at Fuente Circle, he was just a few meters behind. Singson wisely increased his pace and reached the entrance of Cebu City Sports Complex first.

            Alcorin insists he didn’t expect to win.

            When told that Singson was 2010 Milo Cebu elimination winner in the 21k category, that Philip Duenas is one of the formidable runners in Cebu, that Mendel Lopez used to belong to PH Training Pool, he could only manage a grin.

            What makes Alcorin’s win special is that he never really had any formal training.

            Grace Ruperto, Smart’s Trade Marketing Operations in Visayas and Mindanao, said Alcorin’s foster parents are missionaries and they encouraged him to go into sports.

            So Alcorin got into sports – all sorts – like running, javelin, discuss, etc. But running was his favorite.

            Ruperto, who brought Alcorin and two other runners from Bacolod City, added that Alcorin would train but never had any chance to compete because there’s not a many races in Bacolod City.

            Coach Precing Capangpangan observed that Alcorin has the potential and could be more competitive if he could go into proper training.

            Alcorin maintains he didn’t expect to win. To this writer though, he wasn’t just an accidental winner.

            PLDT Smart 10 Miler Top Finishers

            

            16k (Men)

            Joel Alcorin, 56:06.42

            Adonis Singson, 56:17.59

            Philip Duenas, 59:12.79

            Mendel Lopez, 1:19.15

            Noel Tillor, 1:28.88

            Alvirg Busa, 1:01:23.57

            Dandy Maturan, 1:02:10.23

            Prince Joey Lee, 1:02:48.36

            Leyhan Rotilles, 1:08:47.99

            Chris Burdette, 1:08:52.67

            16k (Women)

            Mary Grace Delos Santos, 1:08:50.07

            Madelyn Carter, 1:11:49.11

            Lhoriz Echavez, 1:19:28.88

            Milette Chiongbian, 1:20:36.57

            Sharon Vega, 1:20:59.67

            Emeralde Hermosilla, 1:25:11.57

            Ma. Milagros Tanudtanud, 1:25:13.23

            Tessie Escasinas, 1:27:03.36

            Mary Ann Benedicto, 1:28:07.99

            Carmel Angel Suico, 1:38:02.67

            10k (Men)

            Jobert Carolino, 34:57.13

            Ian Bernido, 34:57.16

            Jess Gonzaga, 35:39.88

            Reprinel Banzon, 37:25.57

            Roland Felicio, 38:09.67

            Franie Cahumay, 38:11.57

            Harold Estrada, 39:04.23

            Leo Abello, 40:04.36

            Michel Largo, 40:49.99

            Ramil Adlawan, 42:16.67

            10k (Women)

            Mary Joy Tabal, 42:58.13

            Christy Tutor, 43:48.11

            Joeyry Lee, 45:09.88

            Emily Rosas, 47:37.57

            Merlita Dunkin, 48:59.07

            Mary Ann Canape, 55:23.57

            Bea Villo, 58:07.23

            Helen Dionson, 1:02:11.36

            Jennifer Cenzon, 1:04:23.99

            Cecilia Asegurado, 1:05:13.67

            5k (Men)

            Joel Delposo, 18:52.13

            Jorry Ycong, 19:08.11

            Russell Camilo, 20:37.88

            Jaime Antiporda, 22:50.67

            5k (Women)

            Aiza Suaybaguio, 22:29.57

            Lorna Olarita, 25:25.23

            Rose Marie Adlawan, 26:08.36

            Lynle Cardenas, 26:47.99

            Rejeeli Sumaya, 27:09.67