MILO PHOTO
Finding an extra gear while the rest of the field faded, veteran Eric Panique ruled the Metro Manila qualifying leg of the 39th National Milo Marathon that started and ended at SM Mall of Asia grounds Sunday.
The 32-year-old Panique, a silver medalist in the 2013 Southeast Asian Games in Burma (Myanmar), crossed the finish line in two hours, 37 minutes and 44 seconds to top a formidable field that included seasoned campaigners Mario Maglinao and Rene Desuyo and booked a return ticket to the national finals later this year.
Maglinao finished second, over two minutes behind Panique, in 2:39:47, while Desuyo checked in third in 2:45:47.
Panique, who hails from E.B. Magalona, Negros Occidental, needed a strong finish in the last six kilometers of the re-routed course which stretched from the MOA concert grounds to the Philippine International Convention Center to Rizal Park and back.
With a spot in the Boston Marathon also at stake, Panique said he is now setting his sights on a first national crown, after finishing second in 2009 and 2012.
“I’m working hard to finally win the national title,” said Panique.
Luisa Raterta ruled the women’ race by clocking 3:10:36, after missing out on the race last year due to an illness.
Criselyn Jaro clinched second in 3:25:03 with April Rose Diaz third in 3:34:02.
Among the 35,000 participants in the race were celebrities, including The Biggest Loser Pinoy Edition coach and Milo Apex founder Jim Saret and Toni Saret, Milo R2 ambassador and football star Tata Garcia-Long, fitness enthusiast and triathlete Kim Atienza, and actress Karylle Tatlonghari-Yuzon.
The win was worth P50,000 each for Panique and Raterte, who led the qualifiers to the nationals in Angeles City on Dec. 6.
The other qualifying races coming up: Calapan (Aug. 2), Lipa (Aug. 9), Naga (Aug. 16), Lucena (Aug. 30), Iloilo (Sept. 20), Bacolod (Sept. 27), Tagbilaran (Oct. 4), Cebu (Oct. 11), General Santos (Oct. 18), Davao (Nov. 8), Butuan (Nov. 15), and Cagayan De Oro (Nov. 22).