Banayag, local bet rule Milo Marathon Davao leg

DAVAO CITY—Southeast Asian Games marathon champion and two-time Milo National finals winner Jho-Ann Banayag can now concentrate on her Asian Games training.   Banayag completely outclassed the field in topping the 34th Milo Marathon 21K women’s elimination leg here Sunday, clocking one hour, 20 minutes and 57 seconds—more than 25 minutes ahead of runner-up April Rose Diaz (1:45:12).   Like Banayag, the top three men’s finishers, led by 22-year-old local bet Brian Lupio, also clinched all-expense paid trips to the National finals set Dec. 12.   Lupio timed 1:14:39. Reynante Villarama, also from this city, and Anthony Nerza finished tied for second in 1:15:09.   Male runners crossing the finish line within the cutoff time of one hour and 15 minutes and female runners beating the 1:35:00 qualifying time earn free trips to the Manila championship.    Those qualifying via the age-bracket times will have to shoulder all expenses, except the registration fee.   The top three 21K finishers also pocketed P10,000, P6,000 and P4,000, respectively.   “I had no intention of losing because I’m the Milo marathon record holder so I was really pressured to do good,” said the 29-year-old Banayag who, after the race, returned to Baguio where she will resume her training for the November Guangzhou Asiad.   “I also made sure that I would make the qualifying time.  Now, there’s one less pressure off my back,” added Banayag in Filipino.   A total of 13,600 runners answered the starting gun at the Roxas Park, the fifth leg after the event took a five-week break.   A portion of the registration fee will be allocated to the event’s free running shoes campaign, which is targeting 4,000 pairs.  Students of Kapitan Tomas Monteverde Elementary School here received 280 pairs.   The other winners: 10K Men—Michael Constatino (34:30), James Castillo (35:07), Arnie Macaneras (35:34); 10K Women—Cresilyn Jaro (43:50), Cellie Rose Jaro (46:08), Mary Pauline Fornea (57:23); 5K Men—Rolly Paderna Jr. (17:14), Emmanuel Leonor Jr. (17:19), Michael Barrosa (17:25); 5K Women—Meezel Cabreros (20:59), Betheloise Moralde (21:41), May Love Briones (22:40); 3K Boys—Willy James Itoc (12:07), Kecir Abigon (12:12), Val Diez (12:30); 3K Girls—Dynamie Jaro (19:27), Cecel Jaro (20:23), Frencis Dayon (20:24); Interschool team event—University of Southern Philippines, Sta. Ana National HS, Daniel R. Aguinaldo National HS