Montebon wisely paced himself for 20 kilometers before making his move against early leader Mendel Lopez.
"Dito na lang ako malapit sa finish line naabutan niyan (Montebon)," said Lopez, who crossed the finish line five seconds behind Montebon. "Di ko na siya nahabol pa dahil naubusan na rin ako."
Aside from berths to the National Finals on Dec. 10 in Metro Manila, Montebon (1:15:32) also won the top purse of P10,000 and an elegant trophy while Lopez (1:15:37) pocketed P6,000 and brought home the runner-up trophy.
Montebon and Lopez used to run in the Cebu City legs of the annual foot race held in partnership with Bayview Park Hotel-Manila, Adidas, Cebu Pacific and Powerbar but are glad to run here at their home province.
Montebon, of San Jose, Negros Oriental, placed third while Lopez of Sta. Catalina, Negros Oriental, placed fifth in Cebu last year.
Montebon’s University of Cebu teammate Miljone Luterte (1:17:50) will also advance to the finals after placing third.
Arias, meanwhile, clocked 1:34:45 to rule the women’s 21K race.
"Wala akong masyadong kalaban dito kaya ginawa ko lang itong parang time trial para sa marathon sa Pasig next week," said the 32-year-old Arias, a consistent qualifier since the 18th Milo Marathon. "Kaya lang di ko na break ang 1:30."
Like Montebon, Arias used to run in other legs like Cebu and Butuan. She hopes that the biggest and longest-running foot race will return here next year.
For the first time in the 30 years of the National Milo Marathon, Dumaguete played host to a qualifying run yesterday.
Placing second was Medelyn Carter (1:49:13) and third was Juvelyn Magnate (1:59:38).
All three, however, will also advance to the finals.
The top three finishers in the 5K fun run were Revodem Aranas, Armando Pabuaya and Giovanni Besin in the men’s and Eden Renacia, Dhona Nuelisa Abrenic and Jennifer Montero in the women’s.
The winners in the kiddies 3K race were Joseph Villamil and Jovelyn Nisas in the 6-9 years old and James Ojero and Maricar Rendoque in the 10-12.