Piamonte completed the 20-kilometer course at one hour, eight minutes and 31 seconds to pocket the men’s title even as Mamac-Diaz was clocked at one hour 25 minutes and nine seconds to bag the women’s crown.
"Ngayon lang ako sumali sa 20-k dito. Sinuwerte nga at nanalo ako," said Piamonte, who is an enlisted member of the Philippine Army. "Hindi pa nga ako nakatakbo ng 42-k kaya kailangan kong magensayo para hindi naman tayo mapahiya sa Maynila."
Piamonte and Alquin Bolivar ran side by side for about 18 kilometers before the 28-yeara-old Armyman pulled away for the win.
Bolivar placed second at 1:08:53. Roleto Cuevas came in third at 1:09:33.
Mamac-Diaz, meanwhile, returned to competitive running in 2001 to rule the Gen. Santos City leg.
"Medyo nasa kundisyon na uli ako. Sampung taon din akong tumigil sa pagtakbo, eh," said the 31-year-old Mamac-Diaz, who stopped running when she got married in 1992. Her husband, Placido Diaz, also won in the men’s 5-k run.
Mamac-Diaz fell two seconds short of winning the Davao City leg last year behind Monaliza Ambasa. Ambasa, meanwhile, did not join the race yesterday but will compete in the Gen. Santos City leg next month.
Placing second and third, respectively, were Jho-an Banayag (1:25:53) and Genalyn Canete (1:30:58). All three will advance to the 42-k Grand National Finals in Metro Manila on Oct. 19.
"Yung national finals talaga ang target ko. Kasi noong 2001 nag fifth place ako tapos last year nag ninth place lang ako," said Mamac-Diaz, who first ran in the annual Milo Marathon in 1988.
Diaz was timed at 16 minutes and 16 seconds to rule the men’s 5-k run of the annual race held in partnership with Cebu Pacific, adidas, Bayview Park Hotel, MyGlobe, Powerbar and the Department of Tourism.
Mark Christian Galaur (17:34) and Paul Gongob (17:56) placed second and third, respectively.