Varsity runners rule Milo Marathon in Tarlac

TARLAC City — Varsity runners from Manila dominated the 30th National MILO Marathon qualifying leg here in a 21K out-and-back course in front of the Tarlac City Hall.

Abraham Barcarse Jr. of Far Eastern University and Emma Mangago of University of the East, who came here together, topped the men’s and women’s race, respectively, and went home with the top purse of P10,000 each.

This is also the first time both runners joined the 21K event of this annual foot race held in partnership with Bayview Park Hotel-Manila, Adidas, Cebu Pacific, Department of Tourism and Powerbar and organized here by the office of the City Mayor.

They are also qualified to join the 42K national finale on Dec. 10 in Metro Manila along with the rest of the top three finishers.

Barcarse, who was among the group of early leaders, pulled away after the first six kilometers of the race and never looked back. He clocked one hour, 10 minutes and 37 seconds.

National duathlete Ryan Mendoza tried to catch up with the 21-year-old Barcarse but fell short. In duathlon, Mendoza runs for 10 kilometers, rides his bike for 40 kilometers and run again for five more kilometers.

"Nung malapit na ang 10K akala ko matatapos na ako, turning point lang pala," said Mendoza, who captured three international duathlon titles this year. "Pero kinaya ko pa rin. Hindi kasi ako sanay sa 21K na tuloy-tuloy e."

Mendoza, who is slated to compete in another duathlon event in Malaysia in October, finished at second place, three minutes behind Barcarse.

Four-time leg winner Bowen Montecillo settled for third. He recently completed his military training course and found no spare time to train for yesterday’s race.

Mangago, on the other hand, ruled the distaff side with relative ease. Mangago (1:31:31) defeated second placer May Benedicto by more than 10 minutes.

Placing third was 18-year-old Analiza Dysangco.

Guest runner Senator Pia Cayetano, who joined the 10K Adidas King of the Road at the SM Mall of Asia last week, finished fourth here yesterday at 1:52:00.

Tarlac City Mayor Aro Mendoza fired the starting gun that flagged off 10,504 participants. He helped Senator Cayetano and MILO Sports Events Executive Pat Goc-ong in handing the trophies and medals to the top 10 finishers of all race events.

The 5K fun run was ruled by Rolly Taban (16:52) and Laarni Alvarez (19:18).

The winners in the Kiddies 3K age group race were Rowen Balaba and Shennalyn Ty in the 6-9 category and Rowell Saavedra and Eunice Alipio in the 10-12 class.

Next week, the country’s biggest and longest-running nationwide marathon goes to Legazpi City.