Indapa, Topia top Milo marathon in Cagayan

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Young guns take over the running throne in the Cagayan de Oro City leg of the 30th National Milo Marathon here at the Pelaez Sports Center.

Crifrankreadel Indapa, who campaigned in the 5K run in the previous years, topped the 21K race yesterday and qualified to the Milo Marathon national finals for the first time.

The 21-year-old Indapa completed the 21K course in one hour, 13 minutes and five seconds.

Coming in at second place was 22-year-old Salvador Bolivar III (1:14:14) and at third place was Pedro Pujas (1:14:39) of the Oro Sunday Runners Club.

All three runners, however, are qualified to join the grand finale on Dec. 10 in Metro Manila along with the top three finishers in the distaff side of this foot race held in partnership with Bayview Park Hotel-Manila, Adidas, Cebu Pacific, Department of Tourism and Powerbar.

The women’s 21K race was ruled by 20-year-old Cecile Topia of Pagadian City with a clocking of 1:32:17.

Topia, who placed third here in 2004 and 2005 took advantage of the absence of last year’s winner Helen Tacling and 2004 champion Aileen Tolentino, who already topped the tough 42K elimination race in Metro Manila last July 16.

Last year’s men’s winner Arnold Unabia did not finish the race.

Placing second and third in the women’s 21K race were 20-year-old Warlyn Bucala (1:43:14) and 22-year-old Jeralyn Dadios (2:15:01).

For the win, Indapa and Topia each pocketed the top purse of P10,000. The second placers take home P6,000 each while the third placers get P4,000 each.

Misamis Oriental Gov. Oscar Moreno fired the gun that flagged off the 9,972 participants fielded in the 21K, 5K and Kiddies 3K races.

Also gracing the awarding ceremonies were Milo sports events executive Pat Goc-ong, Milo brand manager Michelle Calo and Nestle regional sales manager Trina Abola.

Next week, the 30-leg, every-Sunday nationwide marathon sets foot in Tarlac City for the 20th leg of the 2006 season.