Varsity standout Ritchie Estampador and Maricar Camacho were unchallenged when they grabbed the men’s and women’s honors of the 21-km run during the Manila leg of the 2025 Milo National Marathon on Sunday.
Estampador, a student athlete at Mapua University, celebrated his first half marathon crown as he reached the finish line in one hour, 10 minutes and 23 seconds.
The staging of the full marathon event in Manila, where Estampador and Camacho were entered, was scrapped due to scheduling difficulties and the availability of the roads.
But it didn’t matter as the 23-year-old Estampador still earned his first title in a 21-km event ever since he decided to take on longer distances, after winning the 3000-meter steeplechase last year in Season 99 of the National Collegiate Athletics Association track meet.
After setting a new course record in the NCAA, Estampador felt he had the confidence to tackle lengthier routes.
“Maganda ang kundisyon para dito,” said Estampador, who pulled away in the first eight kilometers upon reaching a bridge along Diosdado Macapagal Ave. “All the way na, wala nang kasabay.”
Estampador earned a slot to the national finals of the full marathon event on Dec. 7 in Iloilo, with second placer Ray Laudit (1:15.09) and Mark Anthony Oximar (1:17.23).
On the other hand, the 37-year-old Camacho clocked 1:32.16 in the women’s side, with Jho-Ann Villarma in second at 1:43.21 and Charilyn Ayende in third (1:49.20).
“Nag-adjust ako. Walang 42-km dito. Medyo relaxed lang ako,” said Camacho, who is preparing to join another long-distance race in Isabela next week.
Meanwhile, former University of the East track star James Orduna took the men’s 10-km honors in 32 minutes, and 7.25 seconds, with Jan Moncala and Joel Oragan in second and third, respectively.
Southeast Asian Games’ veteran Joida Gagnao stamped her class in the women’s side.
Alfrence Braza and Joneta Sustituedo dominated the men’s and women’s 5-km run, respectively, while Jericho Danao and Alessandra Quiambao topped the men’s and women’s 3-km action.