Milo-San Pablo run champs miss mark

MANILA, Philippines - Michael Baay captured the men’s crown while Jean Palencia reigned in the women’s side of the San Pablo leg of the 33rd National Milo Marathon eliminations in San Pablo, Laguna yesterday.

Baay clocked 1:17:02 and Palencia checked in at 1:36:00 over the 21k distance through the city’s main streets overlooking Sampaloc Lake.

Their clockings, however, fell short of the qualifying marks of 1:15 (men) and 1:30 (women) for berths in the national finals.

Wilson Manangquil, a construction worker from General Santos City but currently residing in Binan, Laguna, came in second in 1:17:34.

Baay said the terrain, a mix of uphill and downhill stretches, accounted for his slow time.

“I’m not familiar with the distance because this was the first time I competed here. If I knew the routes, I could have made it to the finals. But I’m happy because I won,” said Baay.

“Next time, I will prepare and train hard to win an elimination and run in the finals,” said Baay, who competed in the 3,000m, 5,000 and 10,000 in the UAAP.

Baay, 18, was in the five-man second pack in the first five kilometers then bolted away from his rivals, overtaking the fading Manangquil at the turn to clinch the win.

This marks the first time in three years that San Pablo will not be represented in the finals in the country’s longest running footrace that started in 1974. Other cities that also failed to send entries to the national finals were Santiago (Isabela) and Tagbilaran (Bohol). 

Divine Grace Tapit came in second in 1:45:38 and Cinderella Agana third in 1:49:41.

The 10K winners were Rene Lardera (35:39) and Riza Pica (41:03).

Close to 5,000 runners competed in the final phase of the 26-leg nationwide eliminations flagged off by city administrator Loreto Amante assisted by Milo sports executive and PR Andrew Nery and Milo marathon national race organizer Rudy Biscocho.