CHAMPIONS. Cebu's Florendo Lapiz and Lizane Abella (2nd and 3rd from left) rule the 42K category of the National Milo Marathon-Metro Manila at Mall of Asia grounds, Pasay City on Sunday (April 28, 2024). Also in photo are Milo Sports head Carlo Sampan (left) and race organizer Rio Dela Cruz. (PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan)
MANILA – Cebuanos Florendo Lapiz and Lizane Abella of Spectrum Runners Club ruled the 42-kilometer category of the National Milo Marathon at Mall of Asia grounds in Pasay City on Sunday.
Lapiz and Abella earned PHP50,000 in cash each and slots to the national finals in Cagayan de Oro City on Dec. 1.
The 5-foot-4 Lapiz, who lives in Carcar town, clocked two hours, 42 minutes and 33 seconds to claim the men's title.
"I thank God for this victory. This is my fourth time to join and I'm glad I finally won," Lapiz said during the post-race press conference.
He registered 2:34:40 last year, finishing second to James Dela Cruz (2:31:58).
Salvador Polilio posted 2:49:54 for second place while Welfred Esporma (2:58:51) was third, duplicating his performance last year.
The 35-year-old Abella from Minglanilla, on the other hand, topped the women's division in 3:21:05.
She finished third in 2023 and 2017.
"I just kept my pace throughout the race," the mother of three said. "The prize money I will receive is for the education of my children."
Maricar Camacho, who won last year in 3:11:13, settled for second with a time of 3:26:19 while Jewel De Luna (3:27:05) was third.
Aligned with the celebration of Milo's 60th year in the Philippines, the competition aims to inspire families and individuals to reach their full potentials and learn good values such as grit, discipline and teamwork.
“We believe that sport is a great teacher where we learn the valuable lessons that shape us to become successful not just in our athletic endeavors, but also in life,” Milo Sports head Carlo Sampan said. “Whether it's to bond with family, hit personal records, or simply enjoy themselves, everyone has a place in the National Milo Marathon.”
More than 20,000 joined the race, which also featured 21K, 10K, 5K, 5K Family, 3K and 1K Kids categories.
The National Capital Region (NCR) race is the fourth of the 15-leg marathon.
The opening legs were simultaneously held on April 7 in Laoag, Ilocos Norte; Batangas City, Batangas; and Mandaue City, Cebu.
The succeeding legs will be in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan (May 12), Legazpi City, Albay (June 2), Cavite-Vermosa (Sept. 22), Tagbilaran City, Bohol (Sept. 29), Roxas City, Capiz (Oct. 6), Iloilo City (Oct. 20), Bacolod City (Oct. 27), General Santos City (Nov. 10), Davao (Nov. 17), and Tarlac (Nov. 24). (PNA)
