Martes, Castañeto lead Milo opening-day winners

FOUR-TIME national winner Christabel Martes and Cesar Castañeto emerged fastest in the opening leg of the 39th Milo Marathon in Dagupan City on Sunday.

The 35-year-old Martes, winner in 1999-2001 and 2009, clocked one hour, 26 minutes and 46 seconds to beat Lany Cardona (1:30:14) and Roselle Duldulao (1:59:25) in the distaff side.

Castañeto prevailed in his first half-marathon race with a time  of 1:13:11.  Javier Robeno (1:18:13) and Reynaldo Pascua (1:18:26) placed second and third, respectively.

Martes and Castañeto both pocketed P10,000 and booked slots to the Dec. 6 national finals, slated in Angeles City in Pampanga, along with 40 others.

Aside from the P300,000 grand prize, this year’s Milo Marathon King and Queen will win an all-expense paid trips and slots to the 2016 Boston Marathon.

The opening leg drew more than 11,000 runners.  Other winners are the Philippine Military Academy team (Fastest Delegation) and Umingan National High School (Fastest School).  The next two legs are set in Baguio (July 5) and Tarlac (July 12).