Agravante, Nobleza rule Milo run in Iloilo

ILOILO City, Philippines – Jeson Agravante flattened the field with an amazing run as he pulled away with a seven-minute margin over his closest pursuer while Jennylin Nobleza crossed the finish line four minutes in front of the distaff side in the Iloilo leg of the 35th National Milo Marathon yesterday.

The 23-year-old Agravante, a perennial champion in the Dumaguete and Iloilo races since 2008, clocked 1:14:08 in topping the 21K race, over seven minues in front of Henry Jacinto (1:21:18).

The 24-year-old Nobleza of Silay City, reasserted her dominance with a time of 1:31:23, which was also more than four minutes over second placer Cerela Cortel (1:35:15).

Despite the lack of worthy challengers, Agravante and Nobleza refused to take it easy and gave their best all-throughout the flat course to lead 40 others into the National Finals on Dec. 11 at the SM Mall of Asia.

“I took the lead from start to finish and I was at least 3 kilometers ahead of the competition. I just made sure I maintained my pace throughout the track. Overall it was not very challenging for me since I’ve been running every week and I am very familiar with the course,” said Agravante, eighth finisher in the National Milo Marathon Finals in 2009.

Agravante is bracing for a better performance in the finals and is training as early as now. “Last year, I only placed 16th because I had the flu during the race, but this year I really want to make at least the top 5,” Agravante said.

It was a bright day for Nobleza who tasted her first regional eliminations championship. “Thankfully there was no neck-to-neck competition, so I was relaxed and focused on my run. I just followed the advice of my coach to enjoy the run and maintain my pacing,” said Nobleza.

Completing the top 5 in the men’s division were third placer Bennie Murillo (1:21:36), followed by John Acuña (1:22:23) and Gepe Santillian (1:22:50).

On the distaff side, Janette Agura settled for third (1:36:51), Merlyn Lumagbas fourth (1:46:02) and Jonah Hupeda fifth (1:50:55).

A field of 12,056 Ilonggo runners, the highest record here, participated in the 3K, 5K, 10K and 21K categories. .including Nestle Philippines chairman and chief executive officer John Miller, who clocked 2:00:45 in the 21-k run.

As part of Milo’s sports advocacy program, 500 pairs of shoes were given to students of elementary schools in Bitoon, Mandurriao and A. Montes, IloIlo Central School and IloIlo City National High School.