Armymen lay siege on Milo marathon

TUGUEGARAO City —Members of the Army’s 5th infantry battalion dominated yesterday’s third regional elimination race of the 27th National Milo Marathon at the Cagayan Sports Complex here.

Armymen Rodolfo Tacadino and Samuel Bernados made it a one-two finish in the men’s 20k race. Tacadino finished the out- and-back course in one hour, 16 minutes and eight seconds, beating his comrade by a full minute and six seconds.

"Bumawi lang ako dahil last year, hindi ako nakasali. Pero noong 2001, ako ang champion dito," said Tacadino, who won his sixth Milo Marathon leg title yesterday.

Placing third and joining Tacadino and Bernados in the 42.195-kilometer National Finals on Oct. 19 in Metro Manila was 25-year-old Dominador Santilla Jr., who completed the course in 1:17:35.

Two other members of the Army also placed in the top three of the 5k run.

Placing behind men’s 5k champion Gilbert Pagalilanan were last year’s 20k winner Roggie Baccay and veteran runner Melchor Baculi.

Baccay and Baculi would have joined their five other army pals in the 20k run but decided to compete in the shorter distance because they lacked training.

"Kulang kami sa ensayo. Akala kasi namin sa September pa ang Tuguegarao leg," said Baccay, who clocked in yesterday at 20:07. "Two weeks ago lang naming nalaman na ngayon ang marathon dito kaya kaysa pilitin namin tumakbo sa 20k, baka kami lang din ang mahirapan."

Pagalilanan also wanted to join the 20k elimination race but was denied entry because he failed to meet the age limit of 18 years old.

"Sayang, pinaghandaan ko pa naman ang 20k," said the 17-year-old Pagalilanan, who finished the 5k route in 20 minutes flat. "Pero next year sigurado sasali na ako."

Maricar Gammad, on the other hand, retained her title in the women’s 20k event of the Milo Marathon held in partnership with Cebu Pacific, Bayview Park Hotel, Adidas, Department of Tourism, Powerbar, and My Globe.

She clocked at 1:47:41 followed by Nancy Tumpalan (1:57:07) and Anily Darilag (2:07:34).

The top three finishers in the women’s 3k were Cherrie Liban (26:41), Jenalyn Lopez (26:59) and Magdalena dela Cruz (27:07).

MILO sports executive Pat Goc-ong and Tuguegarao race coordinator Rudy Ventura handed the trophies and medals to the winners.

Topping the age-group kiddies 3-kilometer races were Erickson Coralles and Grace Mangalda in the 9-under group and Rogelio Palaganas and Wiraquel Banguibang in the 10-12 age group.