Veterans Jeson Agravante and Jennylin Nobleza top the men’s and women’s category of the 21-k Iloilo Qualifying Leg on Sunday, organizers said in a press release.
The 23-year-old Agravante, a perennial champion in the Dumaguete and Iloilo races since 2008, crossed the finish line almost seven minutes ahead of closest pursuer Henry Jacinto. The Silay City-born Agravante posted 1:14:08, while Jacinto was a distant second in 1:21:18.
Not to be outdone, the 24-year-old Nobleza of Silay City, reasserted her dominance with a time of
1:31:23, which was also more than four minutes over second placer Cerela Cortel, who finished
in 1:35:15.
Despite the lack of worthy challengers, both Agravante and Nobleza refused to take it easy and gave
their bests all-throughout the flat course to lead 40 others into the National Finals on Dec. 11 at the SM
Mall of Asia in Manila.
“I took the lead from start to finish and I was at least 3 kilometers ahead of the competition. I just made
sure to maintain my pace throughout the track. Overall it was not very challenging for me since I’ve
been running every week and I am very familiar with the course,” said Agravante, an 8th finisher in the
National Milo Marathon Finals in 2009.
Agravante is bracing for better performance in the finals and is training as early as now. “Last year, I
only placed 16th because I had the flu during the race, but this year I really want to make at least top 5,”
Agravante adds.
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| Agravante |
It was a victorious day for Nobleza who tasted her first regional eliminations championship. “Thankfully
there was no neck-to-neck competition, so I was relaxed and focused on my run. I just followed the
advice of my coach to enjoy the run and maintain my pacing,” said Nobleza.
Reeling from a lackluster performance in the National Milo Marathon Finals in 2010, Nobleza is
increasing training to improve her 3:46:00 record last year and hopefully make top 10.
Completing the top 5 cast in the men’s division were third placer Bennie Murillo (1:21:36), followed by
John Acuña (1:22:23) at fourth and Gepe Santillian (1:22:50) at fifth. On the distaff side, Janette Agura
settled for third (1:36:51), Merlyn Lumagbas placed fourth (1:46:02) and Jonah Hupeda followed at fifth
(1:50:55).
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| Nobleza |
An impressive field of 12,056 Ilonggo runners took to the track and participated in the 3k, 5k, 10k and 21k race categories including no less than Nestle Philippines Chairman and Chief Executive Officer John Miller, who clocked 2:00:45 in the premier 21-k run. The race drew the biggest recorded participation in Ilo-Ilo with thanks to local government officials, Mayor Jed Mabilog, Vice Mayor Joe Espinosa III and Jojo Castro Ilo-Ilo race organizer.
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| John Miller, Nestle Philippine Chair and CEO |
As part of Milo’s sports advocacy program, 500 pairs of shoes were given to students of Elementary Schools: Bitoon, Mandurriao and A. Montes, Ilo-Ilo Central School and Ilo-Ilo City National High School.
The 35th National MILO Marathon heightens its commitment of building champions in sports and in life by continuing its advocacy of providing running shoes to underprivileged children. Last year, a total of 4,200 pairs were donated to public school children nationwide. This season, in line with Nestle’s celebration of 100 years, the advocacy aims to give 100 pairs of shoes to 100 students from 100 schools nationwide—a total of 10,000 more shoes donated.
From IloIo City, the 17-leg eliminations will proceed to Bacolod City on Sept. 25. Other races will follow
in Cebu City (Oct 2), Tagbilaran (Oct 9), Cagayan De Oro (Oct 16), Butuan (Oct 23), General Santos (Oct 30), Davao City leg (Nov. 6) and the Manila finals on December 11.
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