Guarte, Agura reign in Calapan 21K leg

MANILA, Philippines - Southeast Asian Games middle distance silver medalist Mervin Guarte and Milo APEX running clinic coach Janette Agura scored comfortable wins in the 21K male and female divisions of the 39th National Milo Marathon Calapan qualifying leg which drew 5,000 runners Sunday.

The 23-year-old Guarte, a native of Calapan, clocked 01:12:12 on his first try in the 21K,  beating rivals Jujet de Asis (01:14:56) and Roel Galvero (01:15:34).

Guarte, the 2015 SEAG 800m and 1,500m silver medalist, is competing in the longer distances for the first time, but the big jump to the 21K event was no easy feat.

“Since 2008 (to 2014), I only joined the 5K and 10K events,” said Guarte. “It was hard to make the transition to long distance running, but with the proper training and guidance from my coaches and teammates, I was able to do it.”

In the distaff side, Agura, 37,  comfortably clinched the top spot in 01:38:33, ahead of Jenny Manansala (02:03:17) and Herrera Mercy (02:15:47).

Guarte and Agura each took home the top prize of P50,000 and earned slots in the national finals in Angeles on Dec. 6. This year’s King and Queen will be entitled to an all-expense-paid trip to the prestigious 2016 Boston Marathon.

In the 2013 finals, Agura, a native of Lipa, finished in the top 10. Aside from her personal training, she also coaches her De La Salle Lipa students aged 7-12. She also trains her Milo APEX students, adults 40 years and over, who will run in the Lipa leg.