Baguio runners run show in Milo La Union stop

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union — Runners from Baguio City dominated the 30th Milo Marathon races here yesterday.

Marson Tarcelo, a security guard of Sidekick Force Investigation and Detective Services in Baguio, and Vietnam Southeast Asian Games veteran Flordeliza Cachero-Carreon, a physical education teacher of Irisan National High School, topped the 21K qualifying runs even as Edison Manansala and Alice Aparri captured the men’s and women’s titles in the 5K fun run.

The 31-year-old Tarcelo, who led from start to finish, clocked one hour, 13 minutes and 25 seconds in capturing his first leg title in this annual foot race held in partnership with Bayview Park Hotel-Manila, Adidas, Cebu Pacific, Department of Tourism and Powerbar.

"Maganda ang panahon e kasi umulan ng kaunti at hindi mainit," said the 31-year-old Tarcelo, who lives in Kapangan, Benguet.

Baguio runners Orlando Carolino (1:16:44) and Joanes Jimenez (1:18:51) placed second and third, respectively.

Carreon also thanked the early morning drizzle that welcomed the race. She finished the race in 1:23:19 and was the fifth 21K runner to cross the finish line in front of the San Fernando City Hall.

Baguio runners Flordeliza Donos (1:48:06) and Rashel Peña (2:02:04) placed second and third, respectively.

The top three finishers in the men’s and women’s races will advance to the national finals slated on Dec. 10.

Manansala, a Baguio City-based sprinter, meanwhile taught the Andaya brothers, 18-year-old Pacino and 17-year-old Giovanni, a lesson or two in middle distance running by topping the 5K race. He crossed the finish line at the 16:22 mark while Pacino came in 29 seconds later and Giovanni 34 seconds behind Manansala.

Aparri, on the other hand, was virtually unchallenged in the women’s 5K run. She finished the race in 20:32. Ronijean Sofla placed second in 21:05 and Manilyn Sarmiento was third in 22:14.

The kiddies age-group 3K race was won by Renz Aquino and Jeziel Bangtay in the 6-9 age group and Matan Bugnosen and Lory May Abrero in the 10-12 category.

San Fernando City Mayor Mary Jane Ortega fired the gun that flagged off the 1,970 runners. She assisted Milo sports events executive Pat Goc-ong in presenting the awards to the winners.