Anthony Nerza, Christine Hallasgo rule Milo run

MANILA, Philippines — Anthony Nerza bent over in relief as he hit the finish line by his lonesome. He just as easily could have been taking a bow.

With a mere three-week preparation, the Air Force runner outdid himself, summoning tremendous strength and energy to claim top honors in the 2019 Milo Marathon Manila qualifying leg that started and ended at the MOA Concert Grounds in Pasay City yesterday morning.

It was one of his strongest showings in his running career where he clocked two hours, 32 minutes and 50 seconds to easily fend off runners-up Richeel Languido (2:36:43) and Jeson Agrante (2:38:48) in the race spared of the heavy rains that poured heavily hours before the start of the race and shortly after the awarding ceremony.

Meanwhile, Christine Hallasgo was even more dominant in topping the Milo Marathon Manila leg women’s side for the second straight year.

And it was a celebration for a host of winners – and not just Nerza and Hallasgo – in the event living up to this year’s Milo Marathon theme ‘One Team. One Nation. Go Philippines.’

Richard Salano (1:11:29) and Nhea Anna Barcena (1:35:52) ruled the 21K half marathon, Jackson Chirchir and Joida Gagnao topped the 10K run, Vincent Vianmar dela Cruz and Joneza Mic Sustituedo reigned supreme in 5K while Mark Ezekial Belista and Aubrey Tom copped top plums in 3K.

There were many others savoring a triumph of the spirit – the veterans and the newbies alike. The event itself was a winner, with the more than 28,000 runners it attracted to join the country’s most prestigious footrace.

The victories of Nerza and Hallasgo in the kickoff of the 2019 Milo Marathon qualifying series assured them of slots to the national finals set early next year in Tarlac City.

“It was an unexpected win as I trained for only three weeks. I almost lost steam down the wire. My feet were already hurting because of the lack of training but I carried on. In the end, it paid off,” said Nerza who had to wait momentary detached service (DS) grant from the PAF to make time for his marathon training.

“It’s for the aspiring runners out there. Back in the day, I was just one of them in awe and envy of the moments when they would kiss their medal, hoist their trophy and bring prize and meals to their families. I was once a fan. I hope now I could be an inspiration to them,” the Digos City native also said.

With his strong clocking, he’s now also hoping to contend for a slot in the Phl team to the coming Southeast Asian Games.

Hallasgo is looking forward to achieve the same goal.

The Malaybalay, Bukidnon native, now based in Lingayen, Pangasinan, was in a league of her own, clocking 3:06:28, way ahead of second-placer April Rose Diaz (3:15:05) and second runner-up Maricar Camacho (3:26:03).

She seized the lead from the get-go at the Bayshore Avenue start line all the way to the Seaside Boulevard finish line that further boosted her bid for a national team spot.

“I just pushed myself to another gear this time especially with this serving as my performance gauge for my national team aspiration,” said Hallasgo, a national pool member.

“I hope it’s impressive enough for me to finally realize my dream to don national colors in the SEAG,” added Hallasgo.