21k Eco-Bucari Half Marathon tilt a success

Jessa Evangelista (middle), the first-place finisher in the women’s category poses with event organizer Mr. Federico Senen Rentoy (left) (Reed Elsevier photo)

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

Hundreds of runners from all over Western Visayas flocked to the Municipality of Leon, Iloilo to participate in the Eco-Bucari Leon Half Marathon last February 23, 2020.

The half marathon competition started at 6:00 AM and ended at 10 AM with runners trying to find the best grip they could find, trailing the Bucari steeps.

For the male category, Daniel Arsenio from Miagao, Iloilo bagged first place, Estelito Hijalga from Oton, Iloilo clinched second place, and Rogelio Zarragoza from Sipalay City, Negros Occidental finished third.

For the female category, Jessa Evangelista of Sipalay City, Negros Occidental notched the first place honors, Che Che Magramo from Pavia, Iloilo got second, and Belleza Pallada Boersma from Kalibo, Aklan placed third.

“The drive that made me push through this event is because of my passion sa running sports and looking for places na pwede ipromote as the best and hardest route for half marathon in Panay Island. Also, one of the main purposes for this event is to look for running’s next big thing,” Mr. Federico Senen Rentoy told the Daily Guardian in an interview.

The event was brought to you by the Municipality of Leon, people of Leon, Disaster Emergency Response of Leon, Leon tourism, Reed Elsevier, Faforma, Got Print, and Team Pesec Inc.