Four runners hurdle qualifier for Milo finals

ILOILO CITY , Philippines   – Four runners gained berths in the national finals of the 33rd National Milo Marathon after making the qualifying time of one hour and 15 minutes in the men’s 21-kilometer race here last Sunday.

Topping the 21K elimination run was Jeson Agravante of Silay, Negros Occidental who clocked one hour, 12 minutes and 36 seconds. He was followed by Roger Denolo of Iloilo City who checked in 20 seconds behind Agravante.

Four-time leg winner Adonis Lubaton of Sara, Iloilo struggled to finish third in 1:14:46.

Alvin Villanueva, also of Silay, settled for fourth in 1:15:27.

The four runners, according to Nestle AVP Pat Goc-ong, will also get all-expense paid trip tickets to the 33rd Milo Marathon grand finals slated Oct. 11 in Metro Manila.

Lubaton, 31, took the early lead but Agravante, 20, made his move after the 10K mark.

Denolo, the 19-year-old varsity player from University of Santo Tomas, tried to give chase to no avail.

Meanwhile, Junalyn Plaza of Roxas City dominated the distaff side of the race, held in partnership with Bayview Park Hotel-Manila and the Department of Tourism, for the second straight year. Her 1:39:03 clocking, however, was more than the women’s qualifying time of 1:35:00.

Lovely Mae Arboleda (1:40:00) and Genevieve dela Pena (1:46:00) placed second and third, respectively.

Ronald Pacete ruled the 10K side event in 36:32 (men’s) while Janine Arrey reigned in the women’s event in 45:43.

Nikki Sibonga topped the 5K run in 17:29 while Ariane Benagera ruled the women’s side in 22:00.

The top three finishers in the 3K race for kids were Mark Klenton Nemiada, Vincent dela Cruz and Noel James Sevilleno in the boys and Jessica Sulit, Irene Sumagaysay and Donnabel Mercado in the girls.

The Iloilo City leg was held simultaneously with the Legazpi City stage in Bicol where two male runners – Mario Maglinao (1:14:26) and Ramie Lacson (1:14:37) – also qualified for the grand finals.