Gitaruelas makes it to Milo national final

CAGAYAN de Oro City , Philippines   – Anthony Subingsubing of Malaybalay, Bukidnon captured his first ever leg title in the annual National Milo Marathon but Leszl Gitaruelas, a local aerobics instructor, stole the limelight when she became the only runner to beat the qualifying time here yesterday.

Gitaruelas clocked one hour, 35 minutes and 18 seconds to win her eighth women’s 21K elimination race, pocket the P10,000 cash purse, and earn a ticket to the national finals.

Gitaruelas was actually 18 seconds over the women’s standard but Milo sports events executive Andrew Neri gave her clearance to run in the 42K finale slated on Oct. 11 in Metro Manila.

The 34-year-old Gitaruelas said she used last Sunday’s race to prepare for the Mt. Kinabalu International Climbathon in Malaysia come October. She placed 4th overall in that altitude run last year and aimed to place better this time.

Subingsubing, meanwhile, improved from 11th place last year in the men’s 21K run. Despite taking home P10,000 for the win, he was still disappointed by his performance because he failed to secure a finals berth.

“I really wanted to make it to the Manila finals but I lost steam in the race,” said the 28-year-old Subingsubing who clocked 1:16:09, a minute and nine seconds over the men’s qualifying time.

Three-time leg winner Ronillo Sandinao placed second at 1:16:14 while 2006 leg champion Arnold Unabia settled for third at 1:17:14.

Completing the top three finishers in the distaff side were Jennelyn Surdilla (1:40:47) and Helen Tacling (1:42:36).

Topping the 10K side event of the foot race held in partnership with Bayview Park Hotel-Manila and the Department of Tourism were Rodel Patrix Sandinao (35:29), Leonard Colonia (35:43) and Gessie Geraldez (35:50) in the men’s and Lalaine Patricio (47:41), Stephanie Pumatong (48:20) and Airah Marie Bolivar (51:25) in the women’s.

The 5K fun run winners were Ramil Neri (17:15), Jeffrey Quiapao (17:29) and John Mark Legaspi (18:04) in the men’s and Jocelyn Cabantac (21:08), Sheena Maxilom (22:12) and Jojilyn Mae Pepito in the women’s.