THE 11th Bulawan Festival opened on a high note with more than 8,000 participants joined in the kick off fun run on Sunday, March 4, at the Compostela Valley (Comval) Capitol Grounds.
Majority of the runners and fun run enthusiasts who joined the kick off were mostly came from the different municipalities of Comval including Maco, Mabini, Pantukan and Laak among others.
There were also runners who travelled all the way from Kidapawan City, Tagum City and Davao City to join the celebration.
The kick off program was headed by Comval Governor Jayvee Tyron Uy, who ran in the 5-kilometer category alongside Congressman Karlo Nograles.
"Unang-una pasalamat jud ko sa mga taga-Comval for participating aning opening program," Uy, in an interview with Sun.Star Davao yesterday at the sidelines of the event, said.
Uy said they traditionally open the Bulawan Festival through a fun run.
But this year, they added duathlon in the program.
“Gusto man sad gud namo i-promote ang triathlon diri sa Comval,” the governor said who is also a noted triathlete.
Uy, however, invites everyone to celebrate with them for the next three days as they will be bringing lots of excitement and opportunity for the people of Comval.
Meantime, one of Davao City's top runners Arlan Arbois ruled the 5k male category by clocking a total of 15 minutes and 46 seconds, barely one second ahead of Jimboy Lugay who finished at 15:47 settling for the second spot.
Elmer Bartolo, however, got the third place with an actual time of 16:18.
Annie Mary Depone of Tagum City, meanwhile, crossed the finish line at 22:39 to annex the 5k female category title over Jezza Jamio of Comval (26:45) and Luzminda Horcasitas of Nabuntran (31:09), who occupied the next two places.
In the 3k male category, Mark Angelo Bansag of Kidapawan City emerged as champion after checking in at 11:02, almost a minute ahead of Nabunturan bets Romel Galingan (12:24) and Leo Anthony Alanan (12:45), who placed second and third, respectively.
The 3k female champ Jennifer Guido, who also came from Kidapawan City, timed at 12:35 to outrace Teska Miranda of Tagum City (14:49) and Jaila Mae Ranzes of Comval (15:40), who settled for the runners-up honors.
The duathlon results were still being finalized as of this writing.