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It may take a while but Leszl Gitaruelas showed she still has the elements that would allow her to retake the place she once held.
Back from a self-imposed brief retirement, Gitaruelas capitalized the absence of some marquee runners to rule the 16K women's open division of the 2009 Holiday Gym and Spa Run yesterday in Governor Cuenco Road in barangay Banilad, Cebu City.
Nicknamed Cebu's running queen for her dominating performance on the road particularly in 2007 where she won all the 16 races she competed, Gitaruelas ended the race in one hour, 11 minutes and 44 seconds to collar to cop the championship title?her first title after a long while.
Gitaruelas, who went home to her hometown in Mindanao during her brief break, is gearing up for the Mt. Kinabalu Run slated late this month in Malaysia.
?Mountain training affects your speed. She's still struggling on road races because road and mountain trainings are not the same because you use different muscles,? said veteran running coach Raffy Uytiepo .
Uytiepo said the absence of Mary Grace de los Santos and Madelyn Carter, who competed in the Milo National Finals yesterday, aided Gitaruelas? victory.
Gitaruelas was followed by Mary Joy Tabal, who timed 1:11:44.
Completing the top five were Joeyry Lee (1:16:48), Emily Rosas (1:29:35) and Doris Nodalo (1:32:24).
The 16K men's open title went to Angelito Sibayan (57:22) while Millete Chiongbian won the women's 16K Holiday gym and spa members category.
Winning the men's title was Abet Biagan while Merlyn Alin won the 6K women's open with 30:15. Jorry Ycong topped the 6K men's open with 22:09.
