Madera bucks cramps, rules Milo run

NAGA City, Philippines – David Madera bucked leg cramps down the stretch to win the Naga leg of the 33rd National Milo Marathon elimination yesterday in front of Plaza Quezon.

Running with leg cramps in the last five kilometers, Madera, competing for the first time in the 21K, overtook the gasping Reynand Novallasca, then sustained the blistering run to win the race in 1:21.34.

Madera did not make it to the finals in October as his winning time failed to match the 1:15 qualifying time.

“Okay na rin maski hindi ako nag-qualify sa finals. First time kong tumakbo sa 21K. Ang events ko talaga ay 10,000m, 5,000m at 3,000m steeplechase,” Madera, a sophomore physical education student, said after claiming his P10,000 prize money.

“Siguro kong hindi ako nag-cramps baka nakuha ko yung qualifying time,” added Madera, fourth of six children of a farmer.

Novallasca, 23, who placed fifth last year, came in second in 1:23.00. Samuel Magas, 34, from Sta Elena, Camarines Norte, checked in third in 1:23.48, beating Gerald Monedero (1:25.15).

Luisa Raterta ruled the distaff side in 1:31.48 and made it to the finals. The 33-year-old Tabaco, Albay native, who competed eight times in the finals, led from start to finish to pocket the top prize of P10,000.

May Ilo (1:50.51) and Myra Luz (1:59.10) Abueg failed to join Raterta in the finals.

The 10K winners were Mark Jek Reyes (37.47) and Richelle Mata (1:03.29).

Close to 5,000 runners competed in the Naga leg organized by the office of the city mayor with PSO chief Lito del Rosario and Francis Barja as coordinators.

Mayor Jesse Robredo fired the starting gun in the 21K and Vice Mayor Gabriel Bordado flagged off the runners in the 10K.