Marikina, Baguio bets rule Milo Nueva Ecija race

Rio dela Cruz of Marikina City and Mary Rose Sugot of Baguio City traveled all the way to Cabanatuan City and ruled the 21K elimination race of the 30th National Milo Marathon yesterday.

Dela Cruz, a regular 5K and 10K participant in the Milo races, tried his luck in the 21K run yesterday and claimed a berth in the 42K national finals slated Dec. 10 in Metro Manila.

"Sa Metro Manila elimination leg (on July 17) sana ako sasali kaya lang may takbo rin ako noon sa Thailand," said the 24-year-old Dela Cruz, a graduating student of the University of the Philippines. "Hindi rin maganda ang takbo ko noon at nagkaroon ako ng injury sa Achiles tendon kaya nagpahinga muna ako. Ngayon lang ako nakatakbo uli. Actually, akala ko nga hindi ako mananalo dahil nagka-flu pa ako noong Monday."

Dela Cruz’s injury, however, is already healed and his time of one hour, 11 minutes and 57 seconds was one of his best in the distance.

Dela Cruz has been competing in the middle distance races since 1995 and was a former Rookie of the Year in the UAAP.

Settling for second and third places in the men’s 21K run were Michael Embuedo (1:17:09) and Lorenzo Daniela (1:17:56).

The distaff side was dominated by the 21-year-old Sugot, another first time leg winner, who clocked 1:50:20. She will advance to the 42K finale along with Nueva Ecija runners Mayling Trance (1:57:16) and Malaya Carmona (1:59:42).

"Paghahandaan ko naman ang Milo Marathon finals, hindi pa ako nakakatakbo ng 42K eh," said Sugot, a second year education student of University of Cordillera.

Nueva Ecija Sr. board member Edward Tomas Joson fired the starting gun that flagged off the more than 4,500 runners in this foot race held in partnership with Bayview Park Hotel-Manila, Adidas, Cebu Pacific, Department of Tourism and Powerbar.

The 5K race was ruled by RJay Mabag and Katherine Santos while the 3K age-group race for kids was won by Prince Tabajen and Analyn Apilado in the 6-9 category and King James Soco and Lorymay Abrero in the 10-12 group.

The Milo marathon series ends with the Isabela leg on Sunday.