Kenyan, Cebuana rule Milo marathon Tagbilaran elims

MANILA, Philippines - Kenyan Willy Rotich and Cebuana Christy Tutor dominated their respective divisions as they ruled the 35th National Milo marathon regional eliminations in Tagbilaran City, Bohol last Sunday.

Rotich, 20, shook off the locals’ challenge in the early going of the 21k run and seized control midway of the uphill-downhill course before coasting to victory in 1:10:22, some two minutes ahead over Albert Umbagar, who timed 1:12:28.

Cebuano champion Mendel Lopez finished third in 1:13:57.

“The uphill-downhill course was challenging but overall the race was good. My competitors were very aggressive at the start, but I exerted myself and maintained the lead from the 10k and finished alone at the end,” said Rotich, who finished 13th in the national finals last year.

Jobert Carolino placed fourth with a 1:14:35 clocking followed by John Philip Duenas (1:15:06), Ian Bernido (1:16:31), Jess Gonzaga (1:16:49), Rafael Tejada (1:20:58), Rolesper Marte (1:21:39), and Jemarvin Cabilan (1:21:57).

But while Rotich won virtually unopposed, Tutor had to fend off fellow Bantayan Island native Michelle Gilbuena to reign in the distaff side.

Lalaine Patricio finished third followed by Niecel Espenosa, Helen Palma, Merry Jean Berdos, Teodelyn Calabroso, Geraldine Bartolata, Rosario Naomi Fajardo and Emmylou Fuertes in that order.

Some 25 runners out of 4,848 participants passed the age group qualifier for the national finals set at the SM Mall of Asia.

They will join the country’s leading runners, headed by Jujet de Asis, Luisa Raterta, Jho-Ann Banayag and foreign bets James Tallam, Genet Agtew and Mikael Tesfaye in vying for the top P300,000 prize.

Meanwhile, another 500 pairs of shoes were donated to local public schools, Eastern Cogon Elem. School , Dr. Cecilio Putong National High School, Tagbilaran City Science High School, Cogon Elem. School and Dampas Elem. School as part of the event’s Help Give Shoes advocacy. The Milo run seeks to donate 10,000 pairs to public school children nationwide.

From Tagbilaran City, the 17-leg elims goes to Mindanao this weekend with the staging of the Cagayan De Oro run on Oct. 16 followed by Butuan City (Oct. 23), General Santos (Oct. 30) and Davao City (Nov. 6). The grand finals will be held Dec. 11 in Manila.

The annual event is backed by Bayview Hotel, Powerade, Summit, Timex, Air21 and the Department of Education. For details, visit the Milo website at www.MILO.com.ph or be a fan of MILO Philippines on Facebook.