EMMANUEL Comendador lost his way in the middle of the race but still managed to rule the 21K elimination of the 37th National Milo Marathon in Tagbilaran City yesterday.
Comendador prevailed in one hour, 16 minutes and 5 seconds and booked a slot to the December national finals at Mall of Asia grounds in Pasay.
The finals will also award slots to the 2014 Paris Marathon to the top local finishers.
Jordan Bacong (1:17:47) and Dodong Vosotros (1:20:07) placed second and third, respectively.
In the distaff side, Teodelyn Calabroso crossed the finish line in 1:43:44, way ahead of Leonora Villamor (1:54:43) and Alma Piquero (2:13:48).
The 20-year-old Calabroso of Bohol International College finished second in last year’s Tagbilaran leg.
Comendador, a Marine Engineering major, regularly joins marathons and triathlons to keep himself fit.
Earlier this year, he topped the Captivating Camotes Triathlon and the 21K Bohol International Marathon and was among the top 10 finishers of the Vaseline Men Xterra Off-road triathon championship.
“I am not normally trained for marathons, so I gain my stamina from biking and swimming,” said Comendador.
Over 6,153 athletes, students, and running enthusiasts competed in the eighth qualifying leg of the Milo race.
Milo’s Help Give Shoes advocacy also donated 500 pairs of running shoes to various public school students. Cebu City will host the next qualifying race on Sunday. Romina S. Austria