Sore, Martes dominate MILO Marathon's Baguio leg

Sore and Martes raised their trophies after dominating
the opening leg of the 36th MILO Marathon edition.

Hernanie Sore and former MILO marathon queen Cristabel Martes dominated their respective categories during the  opening leg of the 36th National MILO Marathon on Sunday in Baguio City.

According to a press release from the organizers, the 30-year-old Sore finished the Baguio qualifying leg with a time of 1:14:59, topping the treacherous 21-kilometer uphill and downhill course in the men’s category, while the 32-year-old Martes finished with a clocking of 1:34:46 in winning the women’s division.

According to Martes, she has been joining running clinics to prepare for the 36th MILO Marathon hoping to reach the national finals. Similarly, Sore had been conditioning himself for the 42-kilometer distance run.

Cesar Lastaneto Jr. was a close second with a time of 1:15:03 followed by Marson Tarcelo with 1:20:18.

In the distaff side, Mercy Taypok of University of Baguio finished second with a time of 1:38:30. And Gretchen Felipe followed with 1:49:32.

A total of 25 men and 3 women passed the qualifying criteria for the 36th MILO Marathon National Finals. Among the qualifiers in the men’s division are 30-year-old Tarcelo,  25-year-old Tagamolila, 22-year-old Lomyog, 34-year-old Morales, 30-year-old Mantilez, 32-year-old Decawan, 42-year-old Rubang, 36-year-old Arellano,  35-year-old Calil (1:33:59), 38-year-old Murao (1:35:51),  44-year-old Gonzales (1:38:21), 43-year-old Arceo (1:38:50),  44-year-old Banillian (1:39:58), 44-year-old Bacani (1:40:35), 24-year-old Galut (1:30:14), 46-year-old Isican (1:38:12), 51-year-old Rimualdo (1:13:40), 50-year-old Perez (1:46:33), 54-year-old Verzosa (1:46:50),58-year-old Catapang (1:47:30), 62-year-old Ramos (1:51:03), 52-year-old Escano (1:50:26) and 55-year-old Nagyaan (1:54:47).

Joining veteran Martes in the 36th MILO Marathon National Finals in the women’s division are 20-year-old Marcy Taypok (1:38:30) and 46-year-old Cleotilde Labrador (1:55:00).

Baguio was a host to more than 6,000 registered runners for MILO’s opening race this year. Organizers are expecting a total of 200,000 runners through the 18 elimination legs in 17 cities to participate in the nationwide search for the best runners in the country today.

The winner in the local category of the 36th MILO Marathon National Finals will receive P 150,000 for the men and women’s division, respectively, while a sum of P300,000 will be given to the winners in the Open category.

After the Baguio Leg, the qualifying race will shift to Dagupan on July 8, Tarlac on July 15, Angeles City on July 22, Metro Manila on July 29, Naga on Aug. 19, San Pablo, Laguna on Sept. 2, Lipa, Batangas on Sept. 16, Puerto Princesa, Palawan on Sept. 23, Tagbilaran on Sept. 30, Cebu on Oct. 7, Bacolod on Oct. 14, Iloilo on Oct. 28, Gen. Santos on Nov. 4, Davao on Nov. 11, Butuan on Nov. 18 and Cagayan de Oro City on No. 25. The 36th MILO Marathon National Finals is slated on December 9 at the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City.

Five hu school children from Baguio were given running shoes as a part of the “Help Give Shoes” advocacy of MILO which is currently on its third year of staging. Students from the Rizal Elementary School, Quirino Elementary School, Dona Josefa Elementary School, Mabini Elementary School, and Pine City Elementary School were the lucky beneficiaries. Andrew Neri, MILO Sports Executive, said MILO is donating another 10,000 shoes this year on top of the 14,200 count from the last 2 years.

National race technical director Rio de la Cruz said that for a foreign runner to qualify in the National Finals, he or she must provide proof of finish in any sanctioned or accredited races by the Association of International Marathons (AIMS) for at least one year before the race day.

The 36th National MILO Marathon is made possible by Timex, the Bayview Park Hotel Manila and Reebok, along with partnerships with the Department of Education and the Philippine Olympic Committee. For more information on the race and its advocacy, visit the MILO marathon website or access the MILO Philippines fanpage on Facebook.