Mercedita Manipol has remained the longest reigning champion in Milo Marathon as the sturdy San Agustin, Romblon runner won the 10K run for the nth time.
"I’ve lost count how many titles I’ve won. But everybody knows that I’ve been unbeaten in Milo 10K run for eight years running now," said Manipol in Filipino.
A member of the RP team during the last four years, the 26-year-old Manila SEAG gold medalist was a cut above the rest in women’s 10K, winning her event with plenty to spare as she even placed fifth overall counting the male runners.
Manipol clocked 35:39, a little over a minute behind men’s winner Roman Salbino.
Russel Rollano placed second behind Manipol at 44:05, followed by Ani de Leon (44:59), Normala Mangotara (45:25), Anna Whitehouse (5:56), Lorrie Gail Bajamunde (46:18), Emelita Arano (46:22), Bernadette Dulnuan (46:30), Lea Colin Langit (46:33) then Mary Grace Cruz (46:44).
"I was targeting to break my record of 34:40 but no one could help me," Manipol said.
Manipol thought she had reached the peak of her career as she won the gold medal in the 10,000m run and the silver in the 5,000m in last year’s Manila SEA Games at the Rizal track-oval.
She said she’s looking forward to defend her 10,000m crown in the Thailand SEAG next year then she may finally try the full marathon.
"Takot pa akong sumubok ng 42K, baka masira ang kundisyon ko sa 10,000m," said Manipol.
With her success and winnings in 10,000m run, she’s already built a house for her parents in their home province.
The last time she’s beaten in her pet event was in the 1998 Milo Marathon NCR elims. Manipol, however, topped the Milo National Finals the same year and has since sustained a long streak of victories on local runs.
Her immediate dream is to make it to the Qatar Asian Games late this year — and hopes to give foreign competitors a run for their money. — Nelson Beltran