Javier tops Olongapo elimination of 35th MILO marathon

Kudos to national athlete Robeno Javier for topping the Olongapo eliminations of the 35th MILO National Marathon over the weekend.

Javier, a member of the RP national duathlon and triathlon teams, crossed the finish line of the 21-kilometer course in one hour, 17 minutes and 16 seconds to earn a spot in the national finals this December.

The 25-year-old Javier also breached the qualifying time to join Dagupan elimination winners Hernani Sore and Jessa Mangsat and Laoag leg champions Reynaldo Pascua and Mercy Taypoc in the National Milo Marathon Finals.

He likewise bagged the P10,000 cash prize.

"May pandagdag na ako sa gastos kapag nanganak ang misis ko," said Javier after the awarding ceremonies.

"As for the finals, hindi ako kadalasang tumatakbo ng 42K, kaya dapat talagang paghandaan ang national finals," Javier added.

Posting podium finishes with Javier were Patrick Ngongob (1:18:09) and Danilo Disierto (1:19:14).

Jesselyn Morales, meantime, clocked in at the 2:23:40 mark. But the lone woman participant in the 21K race failed to qualify.

Lack of preparations put a heavy toll on the 29-year-old Olongapo resident as she was slowed down by cramps and blisters.

"Kala ko nga hindi ako makakatapos. Pero the marshalls kept on urging me to finish the race," she said.

Organizers said that 9,000 runners joined the race, helping MILO and its mother company Nestle to provide 500 pairs of shoes to the students of  Gordon Heights Elementary School, Matain Elementary School, Kalalake National High School, Barretto  Elementary School and Olongapo City National High School as part of the sport drink's “Help Give Shoes” advocacy.


Next weekend, runners from Tarlac will have their chance to qualify for the national finals. After this, the eliminations will be held in Metro Manila on July 31 at the SM Mall of Asia in Paranaque City.

The other eliminations will be held in  Batangas (August 21), Puerto Princesa (August 28), Naga (Sept 4), San Pablo (Sept 11), Ilo-Ilo (Sept 18), Bacolod (Sept 25), Cebu City (Oct 2), Tagbilaran (Oct 9), Cagayan De Oro (Oct 16), Butuan (Oct 23), General Santos (Oct 30), Davao (Nov 6) with the national finals scheduled on December 11.