Records Smashed In Metro Manila

Winners Luis Raterta and Eric Panique flanked by MILO’s Andrew Neri and Race Director Coach Rio dela Cruz.

     PASAY CITY – Eric Panique and Luisa Raterta took home top honors in contrasting fashion at the 37^th MILO Marathon Metro Manila qualifying race last Sunday (July 28) at the SM Mall of Asia grounds.  A new record total of 42,214 participants further cemented its reputation as the Philippines’ undisputed top footrace.

     Panique of Himamaylan City edged out Irineo Raquin by 0.22 of a second in a photo finish.  In their duel, Panique seized the lead at the corner of Buendia and Makati Avenues and never relinquished it, checking in at 2:30:20.51 while last year’s Metro Manila champion Jeson Agravante settled for Third Place at 2:41:55.

     Laguna’s Raterta (3:14:17) had it a lot easier, winning by nine minutes over closest pursuer and eventual runner-up Jennylyn Nobleza (3:23:27).  Geralden Sealza of the University of Baguio took Third Place at 3:32:40.

     Both Panique and Raterta received PHP 50,000.00 and a trophy.  While the prizes were restricted to Filipinos, a host of foreign entries joined the fray in hopes of qualifying for the National Finals at the same venue this December 8.

     Other overseas runners may still earn spots in the Nationals by submitting a certification from any Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS) member race from December 8, 2012 or later attesting that one has met the minimum qualifying time for one’s age and gender category in either the half or full marathon.

     In a major innovation for this season, the Metro Manila 21-kilometer category was promoted from being a mere side event to another means of qualifying for the Nationals.  Previously, only 21-kilometer races held in the regional qualifying races were recognized thus making Metro Manila-based runners to travel all the way to the provinces.

     Richard Salano of the University of the East led the field with a time of 1:14:36.  In the distaff side, top triathlete Monica Torres was the best at 1:29:57.

     Kenyans grabbed both the titles in the 10 kilometers behind Benjamin Kipkasi (32:14) and Joan Ayabei (38:12).  In the five kilometers, Dancel Agustin of San Diego Elementary School (15:04) and Jessa Mae Jaromay (19:39) of Manggahan High School bested the field of over 30,000 participants.

     Raterta’s daughter Leonalyn shared the limelight with her mother by ruling the Girls’ three-kilometer kiddy run in 11:12.  John Lester Vidal of Kapitbahayan Elementary School topped the Boys’ Division in 9:47.

     In the end, selected public school pupils emerged as the day’s biggest winners as they received free athletic shoes courtesy of MILO.  The record number of participants generated at least PHP 1,600,000.00 for the race’s advocacy.

     Meanwhile in the tri-level cheering competition, reigning National Athletic Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (NAASCU) champion City University of Pasay Eagle Squad stamped its class over three other collegiate varsities to garner another cheering accolade for the school.  CAA High School of Las Pinas City and Lucas Elementary School won in the Secondary and Elementary Division.

     After conquering the Big City and Southern Luzon, the MILO Marathon begins its four-city Visayas swing next week by visiting Iloilo on August 4.  The full results of the Metro Manila qualifier as well as all previous legs may be found at http://www.milo.com.ph.