No longer do they have to travel to Cebu City to join the biggest and longest-running foot race in the country, Joseph Penales and Gin Adan captured the men’s and women’s 21K crowns to qualify to the 30th National Milo Marathon finals Dec. 10.
Penales, second to Rogelio Reli in the Cebu City leg last year, clocked one hour, 21 minutes, 42 seconds to claim his second provincial leg championship. He also won in 2002 and placed third in 2004 in Cebu.
"Malalakas na kasi ang mga runner sa Cebu ngayon, mabuti na lang pumunta rito sa Bohol ang Milo Marathon," Penales, 26, said.
Yesterday, he easily beat a pair of Camotes Island runners in Riez Enriquez (1:23:56) and Rodulfo Aguspina (1:23:57), who will also join Panales in the 42K final of the race held in parnership with Bayview Park Hotel-Manila, Cebu Pacific, adidas and Powerbar.
The women’s 21K, on the other hand, was dominated by a first-time participant.
Adan, who hails from Kawit in Camotes, engaged Genalyn Jaum into a neck-to-neck battle for 16 kilometers before speeding off for home and beating the latter by almost four minutes.
"Malakas si Genalyn kaya lang naiwan ko siya sa last five kilometers," said the 18-year-old Adan, who finished the race in 1:46:5.
At second place was Jaum (1:50:21) and third was Mylene Jarina (1:50:49).
Jaum said she could not keep pace with Adan in the final five kilometers of the race because of a blister in her feet caused by her worn-out socks.
"May pambili na ako ng bagong medias," said Jaum, who pocketed P6,000 .
Penales and Adam each received P10,000 and trophies from Milo.
Topping the 5K fun run were local bets Manfred Perez (18:29) and Mary Jessamyn Arcales (23:05).
The 3K Kiddies age-group run was ruled by Joedie Cahatian and Judy Ann Castillon in the 6-9 years old and Louie Cachero and Maria Rowena Perez in the 10-12.
In the side events, Bohol Institute of Technology capped the Biggest Delegation trophy while Central Visayas School of College of Arts, Forestry and Technology won the inter-school team running competition.
Gov. Erico Aumentado fired the starting gun at 6 a.m. and helped MILO Sports Events Executive Pat Gog-ong in awarding the winners. Also on hand at the awarding ceremony were Vice Gov. Julius Caesar Herrera and Philippine Sports Commissioner Ambrosio de Luna.
More than 3,500 runners participated in the races yesterday.
The 30-leg MILO Marathon visits Batangas City this coming Sunday.