Lapasigue, Luterte retain marathon titles

TACLOBAN City, Leyte — Edgar Lapasigue and Camila Luterte retained their respective regional titles in the 28th Milo Marathon here yesterday.

Lapasigue clocked in at one hour, nine minutes and 18 seconds to claim his second straight crown in the men’s division.

"Maganda ang takbo ko ngayon, hindi naman ako masyadong nahirapan," said the 24-year-old Armyman from Catbalogan who was barely challenged in the 21-kilometer race.

"Gagamitin ko itong napanalunan ko para sa training ko sa finals," added Lapasigue who pocketed the P10,000 top purse.

Twelfth overall in the finals last year, Lapasigue vowed to post a more respectable finish in this year’s finals of the Milo Marathon held in partnership with Bayview Park Hotel, Adidas, Cebu Pacific, Globe Handyphone and the Department of Tourism.

Placing second behind Lapasigue was Jonathan Belmonte (1:09:43) and third was Gilbert Luterte (1:10:05) -- son of the women’s 21k run winner.

Another Luterte, Gilbert’s brother Miljone, placed fourth at 1:10:53.

"May nauna sa akin pero nahabol ko bago pa magturning point," said the 41-year-old Camila Luterte, a resident of Baybay town here. "Siguro naubusan na rin sila dahil naiwan ko sila ng malayo eh."

Finishing second behind Camila was Riza Gocela who suffered muscle cramps and collapsed shortly after crossing the endline.

Third placer Annielyn Tegio (1:35:39) also barely completed the race. She, however, drew the loudest cheer from the huge crowd when she fell on her knees four times in the last 30 meters of the course before finally crawling her way to the finish line.

"Nung una siyang bumagsak, marami ang lumapit at gusto siyang tulungan pero pinigil ko sila para hindi madisqualify yung runner," said assistant race director Robert Magpantay. "Pero nung nakatawid na siya sa finish (line) tinulungan na siya ng mga medic."

Gocela and Tegio, both 18, were rushed to the nearby Western Visayas Regional Medical Center for treatment. They were later released by the doctors in time to accept their respective trophies at the winners’ circle.

The top three finishers will represent Region 8 in the National Finals on Nov. 14 in Metro Manila.

More than 6,300 runners answered the starting gun in front of the Leyte Provincial Capitol building where Sergio Osmeña was installed President of the Commonwealth of the Philippines by Gen. Douglas MacArthur on Oct. 23, 1944.