Raquin, Jaro top Lipa Milo run qualifiers

Raquin and Celie Rose Jaro ruled the Lipa City qualifier yesterday to secure their spots in the national finals of the Milo Marathon.

The veteran Raquin, third in the 2013 national championship, clocked 1 hour 15 minutes and 13 seconds in the men’s 21-kilometer race to beat Archie Patubo, who timed 01:18:16 and Rolando Anonuevo (01:22:33) in the race that drew about 7,000 runners.

Jaro, a college sophomore from University of the East, turned in a time of 1:35:47 in the women’s race to join Raquin in the national finals, slated in Angeles City on Dec. 6, where the Milo Marathon King and Queen crowns are at stake.

Janeth Lumidao placed second (01:37:16) and Rowena Valdez (01:40:23) finished third in the race blessed by the city’s cool weather.

This year’s Marathon King and Queen will be sent by Milo to the United States on all-expense paid trips, for a chance to run in the prestigious Boston Marathon.

“I have been doing a lot of long runs, drills and workouts,” said the 30-year-old Raquin, who pocketed P10,000 like Jaro for the win. “I also watch my intake of food and vitamins. My aim is to reach the qualifying time. I’m happy that I was able to win. I will now prepare well for the finals.”

The 20-year-old Jaro said she does long runs in the morning and devotes her time to studies in the afternoon.

“It’s really important to manage my time well,” said Jaro, 20. “I was not able to train well for this race because my classes are in the afternoon. For the National Finals, I will focus more on long runs to build endurance.”

Cellie Rose, 20, is one of the five siblings in the Jaro running family.

“I do long runs in the morning then focus on my studies in the afternoon. It’s really important to manage my time well,” said Jaro.

“I was not able to train much for this race because I have classes in the afternoon. For the National Finals, I will focus more on long runs to build up on my endurance.”

The National MILO Marathon is not only a breeding ground for local talents but also a program that empowers children nationwide. With the support of the Department of Education and the National MILO Marathon runners, MILO’s Help Gives Shoes advocacy will provide 10,000 underprivileged youth with brand-new running shoes this year. MILO is working with DepEd in the selection of deserving public school student beneficiaries.

The qualifiers resume in Naga (Aug. 16), before heading to 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). June Navarro