Vet runners Agravante, Banayag reign in the rain

MANILA, Philippines - Jason Agravante and former champion Jho An Banayag dominated their respective divisions to rule the premier 42K event of the rain-drenched 36th National Milo Marathon Manila elims at SM Mall of Asia yesterday.

Agravante clocked 2:39:57 to capture the men’s crown, beating veteran campaigner Elmer Sabal, who timed 2:45:16 while Gerald Sabal finished third with a 2:46:10 clocking.

Agravante said he preferred running under the rain than in hot weather conditions.

“Maganda nga at umulan dahil hindi mahirap tumakbo, walang init (It was better that it rained because it would have been more difficult if it was hot),” he said after the race.

His strong showing reaffirmed his status as the runner to watch in the local marathon scene. In last year’s finals, he was the top Filipino finisher behind four Kenyans.

Agravante, from Silay City in Negros Occidental, had a time of 2:34.30 in last year’s finals. He said all he wanted yesterday was to be in the thick of the race early on.

Banayag, winner in the 2008 grand finals, likewise posted a runaway triumph in the ladies side, turning in a 3:02:20 clocking, some 15 minutes ahead of Jennylyn Nobleza, who timed 3:17:44. Luisa Raterta came in third in 3:23:55.

Banayag was a bit disappointed missing out on her target of a faster time, and blamed the recurring pain on her left leg.

“Nabigo ako na makuha ang target time ko na 2:53 (I failed to achieve my target of 2:53),” she said.

“Kumirot yung strained muscle ko na tatlong linggo ko na nararamdaman (My leg was throbbing and it’s been this way for three weeks now). Pero lamang naman ako all the way,” said Banayag.

Rafael Poliquit Jr. nipped Gregg Vincent Osorio in a mad dash to the finish to top the men’s 21K event in the fifth leg of the nation-wide footrace. Poliquit clocked 1:14:35 to edge Osorio, who timed 1:14:47.

Immeul Camino finished a far third in 1:18:09.

Nhea Ann Barcena reigned in the distaff side of the half-marathon event with a time of 1:33:38, beating Janeth Lumidaw, who clocked 1:34:23 while Judy Joy Pasaporte placed third in 1:49:33.