Two Cebuanos, Florendo Lapiz and Lizanne Abella, claimed the men’s and women’s crowns of the 42-km events on Sunday in the Manila Leg of the 2024 National MILO Marathon’s 60th anniversary race, which started and ended under warm night-time conditions at the Seaside Drive of the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City.
Both found the routes to their titles easier in the absence of the national team members in the 42-km field, as Lapiz, who is from Carcar, took the men’s honors in two hours, 42 minutes and 33 seconds, and the Minglanilla-based Abella ruled the women’s side in 3:21.05.
Lapiz was unopposed as closest pursuer Salvador Pollilo checked in at 2:49.54, more than seven minutes behind, before he was brought out of the race area in a wheelchair, after succumbing to cramps on his left leg.
Welfred Eporma was third in 2:58.51.
“Sa ganoong pace ko, walang sumabay kaya nauna na lang ako,” said the 33-year-old Lapiz, a welder, after he snared his first-ever podium finish with Abella, and made it to the national finals later this year in Cagayan de Oro City.
Abella, who almost gave in to the warm weather midway in the race, reached the finish in 3:21.05, more than five minutes in front of Maricar Camacho, who was behind in 3:26.19.
Lapiz’s dominance in the men’s division came after national team members Richard Salano and Arbois were disallowed by their coach from competing in the 42-km event. They decided to join the 21-km run instead and came up with a 1-2 finish.
Salano took the gold in 1:08.38, while Arbois was second in 1:10.24. Jose Fabito was a far third in 1:21.10.
“Hindi ako gaano nag-focus sa mga long run. Pinaghahandaan ko ang Philippine Open, kasi more on speed ako,” said Salano, who was told by his coach Eduardo Buenavista that he and Arbois must avoid going into long-distance races, since they will compete in the 10,000- and 5000-meter events of the Philippine Open.
Christine Hallasgo, who also avoided joining the women’s 42-km event after taking part the HOKA Trilogy two weeks ago, topped the women’s 21-km category in 1:24.27, way ahead of Kristine Santillan, who was second in 1:40.15. Jennalyn Galvez was third in 1:40.26.
“Kabababa ko lang sa Baguio. Mabigat ang takbo ko. Medyo bugbog pa dahil doon ako nag-ensayo pagkatapos kong tumakbo sa (Hoka) Trilogy,” said Hallasgo, a bronze medallist in the recent Southeast Asian Games.
Salano, Arbois and Hallasgo said they will still be competing in the men’s and women’s 42-km events of the national finals, since the 21-km race still serves as qualifying competitions for the longer distance meets.
James Orduna emerged as the men’s 10km winner in 32 minutes and 23 seconds, while Anisha Caluya grabbed the women’s plum in 48:03.
Noli Torre won the men’s 5 km plum after submitting a time of 16 minutes and 18 seconds, while University of the East standout Sheila Moreno snatched her first women’s mint in 22:08.