Montecillo, Torcelino rule Milo marathon in Tarlac

TARLAC — Former leg winners Bowen Montecillo and Maria Elena Torcelino dominated the 21K Central Luzon qualifying run of the 29th MILO Marathon here yesterday.

Montecillo, who also won leg honors in Cebu City in 1999 and 2003, clocked in at one hour, 11 minutes and 29 seconds yesterday to beat Wilson Maningkil (1:13:42) of Iba, Zambales and local bet Joseph Rosete (1:16:11).

"Malakas ang mga kalaban ko dito kaya nakiramdam muna ako. Nung sa tantya kong kaya ko sila, iniwan ko na sila bago makarating sa turning point," said the 22-year-old Montecillo, who now resides in San Miguel, Tarlac.

Montecillo, Maningkil and Rosete, along with the top three finishers in the women’s 21K race, will represent Region III in the 42K National Finals slated on October 9 in Metro Manila.

This annual foot race is held in partnership with Bayview Park Hotel, Adidas, Cebu Pacific, Smart Kid, Department of Tourism, Addict Mobile Prepaid and Powerbar.

While the men’s race was an easy picking for Montecillo, eight-time Region III champion Torcelino was challenged to the hilt by the up-and-coming Ailyn Morillo.

Torcelino, a teacher at the Pandan National High School, breasted the tape at 1:43:03 even as Morillo followed her three second behind.

"Malakas si Ailyn (Morillo). Dito ko na lang yan iniwan sa last 2 kilometers," said the 31-year-old Torcelino, whose best finish in the Milo Marathon finals was second in 1991.

"Sa unang 11K si ate Elena ang nanguna pero nung medyo pagod na siya, ako naman ang nag pacing. Dito malapit sa finish line iniwan niya ako, hinabol ko siya pero kinapos ako e," said the 20-year-old Morillo, who competed in the 21K race for the first time.

Placing third was Christine Venuza (1:48:32).

The men’s 5K race was topped by Abraham Barcarse Jr. (14:55), Christian Gilbuena (15:41) and Miles Embuedo (15:57) while the distaff side was dominated by Shella Ninobla (19:20), Vanessa Sugalan (20:12) and Rosemarie Radaza (20:40).

The Kiddies 3K winners were Wowie Maula and Carmela Sugalan in the 6-9 age group and Jaycee Param and Rea Dillosa in the 10-12 category.

Tarlac’s own Rey "The Old Warrior" Antoque, last year’s winner and a 10-time ruler of the Central Luzon leg here, decided to retire from competing in long distance races.

"Kaya ko pa naming tumakbo kaya lang hirap na rin ako pag 21K o 42K," said the 49-year-old Antoque, who claimed the National Milo Marathon crown in 1992.

The Old Warrior, however, is now part of the local organizers in Tarlac. He has also taken under his wings Montecillo, Rosete and daughter Mary Ann who placed fourth in the women’s 21K run yesterday.

Tarlac City Mayor Aro Mendoza fired the gun that flagged off 10,730 runners in front of the Tarlac City Hall. He also assisted Milo sports events Executive Pat Goc-ong in handing the trophies, medals and cash prizes to the winners.

Next week, the 29th National Milo Marathon resumes in Cebu City where a record 17,000 runners are expected to participate.