MANILA, Philippines - Driven by a desire to give her fellow grieving Mindanaoans something to cheer about, Mary Grace Delos Santos dug deep for inner strength and submitted a personal best record in successfully defending her crown in the 36th Milo Marathon National Finals, which started and ended at the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay yesterday.
The Zamboanga Sibugay pride was a class of her own, outclassing national mainstays and African runners in runaway fashion in a victory she hoped could soothe even a bit of the pain and sufferings of the Mindanaoans hit hardest by the recent super typhoon Pablo.
“Hopefully, I could bring even small joy to them,” said Delos Santos, making the biggest impact among over 20,000 runners who took part in the well-organized national finals of the annual Milo marathon series.
James Tallam also repeated as men’s open champion, leading a 1-2-3 finish by the Kenyans as local ace Eduardo Buenavista failed to keep up with them in the last two kilometers and settled for the local division top honors.
The Kenyans also stamped their class in the 21K, with David Kipsang and Jackline Nzivo emerging top winners in the men’s and women’s categories, respectively.
Buenavista, however, took the loss in stride, saying the foreign runners are a good challenge for the locals.
It could have given Delos Santos the push she needed to establish a new national record and Milo marathon mark but lack of rivals scuttled her bid. She settled for a personal new record of 2:49:29.
“She clocked 1:20 in the 21K mark. It was very fast. But then the other runners faded away one by one. Nobody was there to give her the push in the last 19 kilometers,” said Delos Santos’ coach Roy Vence, the six-time Milo marathon champ.
“Maybe, it’s not yet the right time. But I hope that time comes,” said Delos Santos, breasting the tape over six minutes ahead of former champ and national runner Jho-an Banayag and Kenyan bet Everline Atancha.
Another former winner and national athlete Cristabel Martes (3:10:46) placed second in the 42K local side behind Mary Joy Tabal (3:05:12).
“Run to finish lang ako,” said Martes, having competed in another event a few days back.
Going with Delos Santos’ prayers for the Mindanaoans was her personal wish to finally make the national team.
“To be called a national athlete is a big dream of mine,” said the 25-year-old Universidad de Zamboanga commerce graduate.
“Noong isang taon pa dapat kinuha iyan,” said Vence, ruing Delos Santos’ non-inclusion in the Phl team to the 2011 Indonesian SEA Games.
Delos Santos, sixth of 10 children of a farmer and a plain housewife, clocked 2:53 in winning the same event last year.
“I continued training hard in Baguio, and maybe, that’s the reason why I bettered my winning time last year,” said the bubbly champ, earning the top prize of P300,000.
Buenavista, at least, got the satisfaction of fourth-place finish overall and first among locals.
“At least, I have something to bring home,” said the pint-sized runner, pocketing P150,000.
He expressed his disappointment over his failure to crash the top three in the open division.
“I was behind the top two all throughout but lost energy in the last two kilometers, thus, settling for fourth (overall),” said Buenavista, winner of the Milo Marathon national finals in 2002, 2008 and 2010.
“Baka nanibago sa klima. Sa Baguio all the way kasi ang training ko,” Buenavista also said.
For his part, Tallam, a native of Rift Valley, Baringo, some 500 kilometers from Nairobi, said it was a one fine day for running.
It really was with a sea of green partying at the MOA complex at day break.
Josphat Too finished second behind Tallam, followed by Alex Melly. Coming in after Buenavista on the local side were Eric Panique, Jesson Agravante, Cris Sabal, Bernardo Desamito Jr., Jerald Sabal, Juniel Languod, Maclim Sadia, Jermarvin Carilan and Richeel Languido.
The other winners were Immuel Camino and Jocelyn Elijeran in the 21K (local), Richard Salano and Jenisymll Mabunga in 10K, Jomar Angus and Macrose Dichoso in 5K and Melbert Guarte and Leonalyn Raterta in 3K.