Vence regains old form, tops Manila race

Five-time national champion Roy Vence of the Philippine Navy yesterday ruled the Metro Manila elimination race of the 28th Milo Marathon at the Quirino Grandstand and assured himself of a slot in the national finals on Nov. 14.

Vence, 34, barely found resistance in the race, completing the 42.195-kilometer course in two hours, 28 minutes and 29 seconds. He beat his nearest pursuer, Mamerto Corpuz, by almost four minutes.

Placing third was another former national champion, Reynaldo delos Reyes, who clocked in at 2:32:17.

"Sa umpisa, kami ni delos Reyes ang nanguna pero pagkatapos ng turning point (in Taguig) naiwan ko na siya," said Vence, who last captured the Milo Marathon national title in 2000.

Last year, Vence skipped the national finals because of his stint in the Vietnam Southeast Asian Games. During the previous years, he lost by an inch to Allan Ballester (2001) and Eduardo Buenavista (2002).

This year, Vence vowed to reclaim his Milo Marathon throne.

The rest of the finishers who made the four-hour cut-off time are also qualified to run in the finals of the event held in partnership with Adidas, Globe Handyphone, Bayview Park Hotel-Manila, Cebu Pacific and the Department of Tourism.

The distaff side was dominated by 23-year-old Flordeliza Cachero who timed in at 3:03:10. The RP Team member also had an easy time yesterday as she led right from the start.

"Medyo walang masyadong malakas na kalaban kaya hindi ako masyadong nahirapan," said Cachero, who claimed her first regional title in the race.

Placing second and third were veteran runners Liza Delfin (3:08:30) and Gloria Diaz (3:20:11). The cut-off time for women’s was four hours and 30 minutes.

Both Vence and Cachero went home with the top purse of P30,000 and a Globe Handyphone each.

Senator Pia Cayetano and brother Lino Cayetano also joined the 10-kilometer fun run.

Topping the 10-k run, however, were Julius Sermona and Mercedita Manipol.

The 5-k run was ruled by Ronald Serbidad and Bernardita Magaso while the 3-k age-group run were dominated by Alexis Onoya and Jenalyn Dee (6-9 years old) and Argie Mancao and Cinderella Agana (10-12).