Bolivar, Fetalvero lead Milo Laguna qualifiers

SAN Pablo City, Philippines – Veteran Alquin Bolivar and former Milo Marathon Queen Mercedita Manipol-Fetalvero reasserted their supremacy by securing the men and women’s crown in the Laguna qualifying leg of the 35th National Milo Marathon here.

Despite the lack of better challengers, the 25-year-old Bolivar worked on a personal test to finish some six minutes ahead over second placer Modesto Manalang Jr. with a time of 1:14:42 to lead 37 other age group qualifiers into the National Finals at the SM Mall of Asia on Dec. 11.

“I am happy that I won but I am disappointed that I didn’t reach my personal best of 1:08:00. I am still feeling the brunt of exhaustion after my bronze medal finish in the Asian Army Half-Marathon in Singapore last Sept. 6,” said the Army Duty Sergeant Bolivar, a sixth placer in the National Milo Marathon finals in 2009.

At third place is Jucell Laya (1:22:29) while Ronald Salgado (1:25:50) settled for fourth and Robert Fettar at the fifth spot (1:26:13). Completing the top 10 cast in the 21-K category were Diosdado Ramirez (1:28:51), John Ernie Fernandez (1:28:55), Rudy Tikiko (1:28:57), Sonny Ducay (1:29:18) and Bernardo Baldovino (1:31:14).

2008 National Milo Marathon titlist, Manipol-Fetalvero served notice of her title bid by ruling the mostly flat and paved 21-km route with a clocking of 1:30:32 to earn another trip into the finals. The return of the 31 year-old Manipol-Fetalvero will renew her rivalry against aggressive female runners, RP national team Jhoan Banayag, Luisa Raterta and reigning women’s titlist Flordeliza Donos.

“It was hard to beat my personal best with no worthy contender to provide a challenge and push me to go full force,” stressed Fetalvero, 2005 SEA Games gold medalist and current assistant coach at the University of the East track and field team under Elma Muros.

On the distaff side, Melanie Malihan of Macrunners Sports, settled for second with a time of 1:43:18, Perlita Ruben at third in 1:43:58, Janice Tawagin at fourth in 1:45:00 and Genevieve de la Pena of Taguig Team with a time of 1:51:47.

Others who qualified into the Finals in different race categories include Cipriano Laylo (1:36:14), Edizon Ticzon (1:37:55), Ronnie Pilarca (1:36:47), Magtanggol Tambao (1:36:49), Philip Enriquez (1:37:50), Miguelito Pernalino (1:37:56) and Reynaldo Salviejo (1:38:00). Perlita Ruben (1:45:51), Joshua Guinyang (1:42:20) and Leotilde Labrador (1:57:20)

A total number of 6,543 runners answered the starting gun in the different race categories, donating 500 pairs of shoes to public school children in Elementary Schools, Bagong Bayan, San Vicente, Ambray, San Pablo City National High School and San Pablo Central School as part of the National Milo Marathon “Help Give Shoes” advocacy.

The 35th National MILO Marathon heightens its commitment of building champions in sports and in life by continuing its advocacy of providing running shoes to underprivileged children. Last year, a total of 4,200 pairs were donated to public school children nationwide. This season, in line with Nestle’s celebration of 100 years, the advocacy aims to give 100 pairs of shoes to 100 students from 100 schools nationwide-a total of 10,000 more shoes donated.

From San Pablo City, the 17-leg eliminations will start the Visayas swing starting at Ilo-Ilo City on Sept. 18, Bacolod (Sept. 25), Cebu City (Oct 2), Tagbilaran (Oct 9), Cagayan De Oro (Oct 16), Butuan (Oct 23), General Santos (Oct 30) and the Davao City leg on Nov. 6 with the Manila Finals slated on December 11.

The National MILO(r) Marathon is made possible by event sponsors, Bayview Hotel, Powerade, Summit, Timex, Air21 and the Department of Education. For more info on the National MILO(r) Marathon and how to be part of its advocacy, visit the exciting new MILO(r) website.