10K specialist Manipol-Fetalvero wins Milo Marathon in first try

MANILA, Philippines – Running her first full marathon was not even a problem for 10-kilometer specialist Mercedita Manipol-Fetalvero as she won the women’s division of the 32nd National Milo Marathon Finals held Sunday at the Quirino Grandstand, Manila. The 28-year old Fetalvero who has won every local 10K race since 1998, was not even thinking of finishing the race but needed a change of heart after National teammate and former champion Jho-an Banayag quit the race due to a recurring thigh injury. “I joined the race simply to support Jho-an and I was not even thinking of finishing the marathon but was asked to do so when Jho-an quit the race in the 25-kilometer mark," said Fetalvero, a native of Barangay Sugod in San Agustin, Romblon, after clocking in under three hours in 2:58:38. Maricel Maquilan, who like Fetalvero was a former University of the East trackstar, placed second with a time of 3:06:08 while former champion Ma. Estela Diaz finished third overall with 3:11:15. Completing the top five placers were Mona Liza Ambasa at 3:12:35 and Ellen Tolentino at 3:16:35. Deposed champion Flordeliza Carreon also failed to finish the race since she had little time training and is now preoccupied with her teaching job at the University of Makati. Fetalvero received P75,000 for her efforts, which she said will be used to buy Christmas gifts for her parents and siblings. The Milo Marathon finals also held competition in the 10-K, 5-K and 3-K divisions. Veteran internationalist Rene Herrera (33:28) and Russel Rolano (42:03) topped the 10-K run to bagged P5,000 each while Palarong Pambansa multi-gold medalist Christopher Ulboc (9:27) and Bernardita Mag-aso (17:45) took the 5-k event for P2,500 rewards. In the 3-K division John Villanueva (9:00) and Charlene Aquino (9:55) topped the 6 to 9 age division while Alexander Alsol (7:39) and Malca Mae Tacsiat (9:07) dominated the 10-12 to also win P1,500. – GMANews.TV