Carolino, Sevilleno gain Milo run finals

JOBERT Carolino and Christy Sevilleno survived the difficult terrain of the Tagbilaran leg yesterday and made it to the national finals of the 36th National Milo Marathon.

Carolino crossed the 21K finish line in one hour, 15 minutes and 23 seconds to pocket the P10,000 top purse. Felix Cenia failed to catch up with Carolino in the last 500 meters to settle for second place in 1:26:54. James Palma came in third in 1:27:33.

Sevilleno, competing in the Milo race for the past nine years, clocked 1:40:45 to top the distaff side. Another BIT-IC runner, Teodelyn Calabroso, finished second in 1:41:26, while Helen Dionson was a distant third in 2:02:09.

The 26-year-old Carolino said he is determined to improve his pace and win the 42K national finals on Dec. 9 for BIT International College where he is studying to become a programming technician.

“Since 2008, I have been joining races to fund my college education,” said Carolino. “Through my efforts in the Milo Marathon, I am able to pursue a degree and take a step closer towards achieving a life goal of becoming a Programming Technician.”

Sevilleno has been running in the Milo Marathon for nine years and is currently training a group of fitness enthusiasts in Bohol.

“When people ask me why I run, I tell them I run to advocate a healthy lifestyle,” said Sevilleno, a fitness trainer in Bohol.

Carolino and Sevilleno will join last week’s Puerto Princesa victors Norlan Warizal and Jila de la Rosa, as well as winners of previous qualifying legs, in the finals at SM Mall of Asia grounds in Pasay.

The Open division winners will pocket P300,000 while the top runner in the Local category will get P150,000. Romina S. Austria