Cebuano runners rule Bohol Milo qualifier

TAGBILARAN CITY , Philippines   – Cebuano bets topped the 21K elimination race of the 33rd National MILO Marathon on Sunday in an out-and-back course near the Island City Mall here in Bohol.

Two-time leg winner John Philip Duenas of Carmen and first time champion Doris Nudalo of Mandaue City outpaced a lean field of runners to each pocket the P10,000 prize for first place and bring home the MILO Marathon glass trophy.

Duenas, who also topped the Tagbilaran qualifying run last year, engaged Gary Maurin of Surigao del Norte in a tight race throughout the course. The 22-year-old athlete from Southwestern University in Cebu eventually won by a mere second over the inexperienced Maurin.

Maurin traveled all the way from Surigao del Norte with a mission to qualify for the MILO Marathon national finals slated on October 11 in Metro Manila. Both Duenas and Maurin failed to meet the cutoff time of 1:15:00 for male runners.

Placing third in the men’s race was Jess Gonzaga who timed 1:18:24.

Meanwhile, Nudalo finished the 21K race with a poor time of 2:03:13 but still topped the women’s side of the marathon held in partnership with Bayview Park Hotel-Manila and the Department of Tourism.

Placing second and third were Evangeline Balazuela (2:14:38) and Edna Adame (2:18:43).

The qualifying time for women is 1:35:00.

The 10K side event was ruled by Riez Enriquez (36:03) in the men’s and Joeyry Lee (46:12) in the women’s.

Topping the 5K fun run were Jhomar Cahatian (17:32) and Nora Bentillo (24:05).

The winners in the 3K race for kids were Jhonel Mendajao (14:49) and Richelle Ann Dagoldol (15:51).

Manga National High School won the inter-school team running competition while University of Bohol registered the most number of finishers.

Sunday’s Tagbilaran City leg was held simultaneously with the Baguio City leg where third time winner Jerry Lindawan who clocked 1:15:38 to qualify for the national finals and Mary Sugot topped the men’s and women’s 21K run.

Come Sunday, the country’s biggest and longest-running foot race holds twin elimination races in Roxas City and Dagupan City.