TUGUEGARAO CITY — Cebuano runner Mark Mahinay delivered an early gold for Central Visayas after defending his 5,000-meter run title at the opening day of the 2025 Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) National Games, held Monday at the Cagayan Sports Coliseum in Tuguegarao City.

Mahinay crossed the finish line in 15 minutes and 26.3 seconds, outpacing Ken Jay Moreto of General Santos City (15:44.3) and Mark Rennel Hubag of South Cotabato (15:44.8), who took silver and bronze, respectively.

While Mahinay’s winning time was slightly slower than his 2024 performance of 15:22.9 in Legazpi, the 23-year-old athlete showcased grit and determination amid Tuguegarao’s sweltering humidity.

“I was already slowing down by the eighth lap,” Mahinay shared in Filipino. “The air here is different. It was hard to breathe. At the fifth lap, I really started to feel the struggle.”

Despite the difficult conditions, Mahinay maintained his lead and never looked back.

“My goal was to defend the title and break the record. By the fourth lap, when I was already stiff, I told myself to just hold on and keep running.”

Mahinay is still scheduled to compete in the 1,500m, 10,000m, and relay events later in the tournament.

In the boys’ 5,000-meter division, Darell Johnson Bada of Olongapo City topped the race with a time of 16:59.2. He was trailed closely by Oriental Mindoro’s Jaren Ganan (17:00.4) and Bicol’s Jay Raña (17:02.2), who settled for silver and bronze, respectively.

Meanwhile, Baguio City’s Jazmin Butag retained her women’s shot put title, clinching back-to-back gold medals with a throw of 10.49 meters. Capiz’s Noellen Miane took silver with a 9.74m mark, while Juwelisa Sarabosing finished third at 9.68m.

In the men’s long jump, Kent Brian Celeste of Pangasinan recorded the day’s best leap at 6.79 meters, narrowly edging Iloilo City’s Cjay Eulin (6.70m) and Sorsogon City’s John Hapita (6.62m), who earned silver and bronze, respectively.

Capiz’s John Raymund Susano dominated the juniors’ long jump category with an impressive 6.64-meter performance, creating a sizable margin over Bohol’s Rhain Gian Diaz (6.26m) and Iloilo’s Jhon Christoff Lauron (6.10m).

Central Visayas also asserted dominance in karate, sweeping five gold medals in the Kata event. Feliz Emm Rulona (U-14), Leanne Marie Alvarez (Cadets Individual), and Precious Belicario (Seniors Individual) led the charge in the female divisions.

The Central Visayas Senior Team, composed of Roshen Silva, Precious Avegail, and Aubrey Del Codilla, also topped their category, while Jorge Martin Dela Rama added another gold in the U-14 Individual division.

The PRISAA National Games continue this week, showcasing top talents from private schools across the country in various sporting events.