Unknown Kidapawan native Gilbert Maluyo stamped his class by winning the men's division while Rhodah Chepkirui stood firm all-throughout to rule the distaff side last Sunday in the General Santos City eliminations of the 35th National MILO Marathon, organizers said in a press statement released to media outfits.
Maluyo, a 30-year-old machine operator Maluyo, checked in with a time of one hour 14 minutes and 54 seconds and in the process relegated Elmer Bartolo (1:14:56) to second spot and Kenyan runner David Kipoech Kipsang (1:15:16) to third place. Royle Mariano (1:24:23) finished at fourth and Jelbirth Gomera (1:27:34) settled for fifth.
"It was a challenge for me to balance work and training and I had to wake up at 4:30 am to do a long run before I headed to work. Add to that, I was nervous because I have been hearing about Kenyans ruling races in Mindanao and Visayas," Maluyo added.
Jerome Dela Rosa completed the top 10 cast with 1:27:39 for sixth, Rodolfo Villanueva at seventh in 1:30:38, followed by Paul Andrew Paradela (1:30:42), Francisco Veroy (1:31:29) and Diosdado Munar Sr. (1:31:52).
Chepkirui also of Kenya registered a 1:27:40 clocking to lead a total of 14 age group qualifiers into the Grand Finals on Dec. 11 at the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City.
It was a different story on the women’s side as 24-year-old Kenyan runner Chepkirui led from start to finish outpacing last year's National MILO Marathon Batangas leg titlist Maricel Maquilan who fell to second in 1:32:06
"I found the race easy, I was alone from start to finish. Thankfully there were no strong local competitors and I was able to reach my goal to earn a slot in the finals," said Chepkirui, who has been in the country for a month.
Completing the top five were April Rose Diaz who settled at third in 1:34:42, followed by Maria Estela Diaz (1:49:40) and Joan Natividad (2:08:04).
But the biggest casualty in the 21-k race was former three-time National MILO Marathon champion Cresenciano Sabal, who was unable to finish the race because of a foot injury. He is said to participate in the final Davao leg on Sunday for a final swing to clutch a spot at the finals.
The General Santos leg likewise produced a total of 500 pairs of shoes for selected students of General Santos City High School, Dadiangas South Elementary School, HN Cahilsot Central Elementary School, Ireneo Santiago High School and Balunto Elementary School as part of the National MILO Marathon’s ‘Help Give Shoes’ Advocacy.
More than 400 runners from the previous 17-leg elimination races all over the country have already earned slots at the National finals, which offers P300,000 cash prize to the winners in both the elite men and women's 42.195-km class.
After the 16th leg, the nationwide search for the best runner in the country, will head for its final stop on Sunday in Davao City. On the run-up to the Manila Finals, the National MILO Marathon also announces it is already open for registration for 3k, 5k, 10k and 21k race categories through Manila Race organizer RunRio.
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