Richard Salaño nosed out Eduard Flores by a close margin to rule the 21K race in Leg 2 of the Sante Barley Trilogy Run Asia presented by HOKA and GoMo on Sunday at SM Mall of Asia Complex.

Salaño finished his run in one hour, nine minutes, and 44 seconds, just three seconds ahead of Flores who clocked in at 1:09:47. Edsel Moral completed the podium for the men with his 1:10:29 in this continuing 15th year celebration of RUNRIO.

Erika Nicole Burgos topped the women in the same distance with her 1:28:45 time, besting Maricar Camacho (1:30:20) and April Rose Diaz (1:35:11).

It’s all part of a fantastic turnout as over 11,000 runners participated in the second leg of the famed running series -- 5,000 of which joined the 21K race.

“This is one of the best runs. We can see the progression of our runners and the field of competitors in long-distance races keeps growing,” RUNRIO president and chief executive officer Rio de la Cruz said.

James Darrel Orduña also got first place in the 10K race by a hair, edging Ricky Organiza by milliseconds as both completed the course in 32 minutes and eight seconds. Junel Gobotia was third among males with 32:29.

In the women’s division, Edna Magtubo had the best time with her 38:18, followed by Kim Mangrobang (39:03) and Jessa Mae Roda (40:27).

Noli Torre (15:42) and Shaira Mae Fantilaga (21:04) had the best times in the 5K race, with Vincent Arvin Avestruz (16:11) and Alfrence Braza (16:24) following suit in the men’s division; and Jo Punay (21:45) and Joneza Mie Sustiuedo (22:47) making the podium in the women’s division.

The strong turnout is proving to be a good setup for Leg 3 in Manila which is set on 13 July. Other cities like Cebu, Iloilo, Cagayan de Oro, and Davao, are also set to hold their remaining legs in the buildup for the National Finals on 9 November.