ANTHONY Nerza stopped Brian Lupio’s back-to-back bid, topping the Milo Marathon 21K qualifying leg in Davao City on Sunday and towing 19 others to the national finals.
The 23-year-old Nerza, runner-up to Lupio last year, clocked a personal-best one hour, 12 minutes and 30 seconds. He said he looks forward to asserting his dominance in the 42K finals set Dec. 9 at Mall of Asia.
Lupio placed second in 1:13:54 while third placer James Castillo of University of Mindanao submitted 1:14:21. Both likewise qualified to the finals, which will award P300,000 to the winner.
Baguio-based Flordeliza Doños, the 2010 Milo Marathon queen, ruled the distaff side in 1:26:52. Runners-up Cellie Rose Jaro (1:35:28) and Emely Avergonzado (1:37:32) will join her in the finals.
“The race allowed me to assess my limits,” said Nerza. “I am expecting a more challenging race in December.”
On the other hand, Doños attributed her win to perseverance, winning the race despite a leg injury.
“What matters most is one’s will to reach the finish line,” said Doños. “I may not in my best shape now, but I will enter the finals with more drive than ever.”
About 14,000 runners joined the Davao leg, making it the biggest foot race ever to take place in Mindanao.
So far, over 450 runners have qualified for the finals, including three-time champion Eduardo Buenavista and double winner Jho-Ann Banayag.
In the school category, Davao City National High School fielded 1,035 student runners to claim the Biggest School Delegation award. University of Mindanao brought home the Fastest School Delegation award with an aggregate time of 19:59.22.
The last two qualifying races will be held in Butuan City on Nov. 18 and Cagayan de Oro City on Nov. 25. Romina S. Austria