Banayag, Agravante rule Milo Marathon

TWO-TIME national champion Jho-An Banayag and veteran Jason Agravante dominated the Metro Manila leg of the 36th National Milo Marathon which drew a record-breaking 38,429 runners yesterday at the Mall of Asia grounds in Pasay.

Banayag, 30, topped the 42K event in 3 hours, 2 minutes and 20 seconds as she outclassed Jennelyn Nobleza of Silay City (3:17:44) and Luisa Raterta (3:23:55). All three gained slots to the Dec. 9 national finals as they beat the 4:20:00 qualifying time in their age bracket (18-34).

The 23-year-old Agravante, also from Silay, topped the men’s category in 2:39:57. He relegated brothers Elmer (2:45:16) and Gerald (2:45:16) Sabal to second and third places, respectively. All three likewise beat the 3:45:00 men’s qualifying time for the 18-34 bracket.

“The weather slowed me down a bit, but I’d prefer a little rain over a warm day,” said the Compostela Valley-native Banayag, who holds the Milo marathon course record of 2:48:16. “I’m looking forward to the finals. I will dedicate more of my time to training for the finals.”

Agravante said he kept pace with two Kenyans at the beginning of the race but picked up his pace midway.

“I was already leading the pack when we reached the Buendia flyover in Makati,” said Agravante. “Another Kenyan tried to overtake me in the last 8 kilometers but I managed to get away again.”

In the men’s 21K race, Rafael Poliquit Jr. finished first in 1:14:35, while Nhea Ann Barcena topped the women’s side in 1:33:38.

Among yesterday’s participants was Aklanon Mark Joseph Casidsid, a visually impaired runner who completed 42K.

Banayag and Agravante won P50,000 each in the event which broke last year’s record field of 35,000. Romina S. Austria