Pascua engaged Tacadino in a heated battle going into the final 10 kilometers of the 21K race to snap Tacadino’s winning run to eight.
"Magkasunod lang kami niyan (Tacadino) pagkatapos ng turning point pero dito sa last (500 meters) ibinuhos ko na para maiwan siya," said Pascua, who defeated Tacadino for the first time in five Milo Marathon regional races. "Lagi na lang kasi akong second sa kanya doon sa Tuguegarao kaya pinaghandaan ko siya rito."
Laoag City hosted the qualifying race for the first time since 1993.
Pascua clocked in at one hour, eight minutes and 54 seconds. Tacadino crossed the end line 11 seconds later.
"Nagkatrangkaso kasi ako nitong Huwebes lang. Hindi pa ako nakarecover talaga," explained Tacadino, who dominated the Northern Luzon races for eight straight years. "Pero kung alam ko lang na may cellphone na premyo, sana pinilit ko na manalo ako. Babawiin ko ito sa kanya next year."
Aside from pocketing the top purse of P10,000, Pascua also brought home a brand new handyphone and an elegant trophy from MILO.
The race is held in partnership with Globe Handyphone, Cebu Pacific, Bayview Park Manila, Adidas and the Department of Tourism.
Butac, on the other hand, found little resistance from the field as she completed the course in one hour, 31 minutes and 59 seconds. She was followed by American volunteers Leigh Bonner Tillman of Maryland (1:49:29) and Justine Anne Baruch of Colorado (1:54:54).