CAPAS, Tarlac — Finding just enough energy to race one more time in a loaded week, national team standouts Sonny Wagdos and Artjoy Torregosa emerged as the king and queen of the Philippine Athletics Championships 10,000-m run Sunday morning at the New Clark City Stadium here.
Wagdos clocked 31:10.64 to reign supreme in the men's open category followed by Richard Salaño of the Philippine Army (31:13:10) and Welmer Jeck Labrador of Mapua Project Elite (31:33.16).
Torregosa of Team Cebu City timed 36:34.74 to rule the women's open division as Edna Magtubo of Far Eastern University (37:13.85) and Michelle Zamora of Team Cebu City (38:53.59) placed second and third, respectively.
Wagdos said his legs were actually shaking after running his third race in the last six days.
The 32-year-old first competed at the 5000 m where he finished second on June 9, and then a half marathon (21 km) in the Manila Marathon which he topped on Saturday, just one day before this 10-km run he just ruled.
"I did 5,000 meters on the first day. Yesterday, I ran a half marathon at the Manila Marathon, and today I just did 10,000 meters," said Wagdos in Filipino.
"I'm already feeling my legs shaking, they're kind of vibrating now. This will probably be my last event for now, then I'll take a break and rest."
On the other hand, the 27-year-old Torregosa sounded like she's ready to cover more distance.
"This is already my third race. I was supposed to compete in the 42-km event at the Manila Marathon, but it seems we weren't allowed to because we were supposed to focus on the Asian Games, so I was moved to the National Open," said Torregosa.
"Yes, I ran the 21 km because I was already registered for it, and it was also with Asics. It felt more like a jog since there weren't any other participants competing against me (among the elite runners)."
In the only other final Sunday morning, Ranier Sobrepeña of the UP Track and Field Team snared the triple jump national title with a 15.38-m leap.
Joshua Patorara of DLSU-Manila jumped 15.08 m for the silver, as Mark Harry Diones of the Philippine Army took the bronze medal with a 15.0-m leap.
A slew of final events were being held at press time late Sunday afternoon, closing the five-day meet.
