Robeno conquers Olongapo City’s flat course, earns spot in Milo Marathon finals

National athlete Robeno Javier topped the Olongapo City eliminations of the 35th Milo National Marathon over the weekend. Javier, a member of the RP national duathlon and triathlon teams, finished the 21-kilometer flat course in one hour, 17 minutes and 16 seconds to earn a spot in the national finals. The 25-year-old Javier joined leg winners Hernani Sore and Jessa Mangsat (Dagupan), and Reynaldo Pascua and Mercy Taypoc (Laoag)in the December finals. And of course, he also bagged the P10,000 cash prize. "May pandagdag na ako sa gastos kapag nanganak ang misis ko," said Javier after the awarding ceremonies. "As for the finals, hindi ako kadalasang tumatakbo ng 42K, kaya dapat talagang paghandaan ang national finals." Completing the top three spots were Patrick Ngongob (1:18:09) and Danilo Disierto (1:19:14). Jesselyn Morales, the lone participant in the women's side, checked in at the 2:23:40 mark and failed to qualify. Lack of training tolled heavily on the 29-year-old Olongapo resident as she suffered from cramps and blisters. "Kala ko nga hindi ako makakatapos. Pero the marshals kept on urging me to finish the race," she said. Almost 9,000 runners from different age brackets joined the race, enabling Milo and its mother company Nestle to donate 500 pairs of shoes to the students of Gordon Heights Elementary School, Matain Elementary School, Kalalake National High School, Barretto Elementary School and Olongapo City National High School as part of the National MILO Marathon's “Help Give Shoes" advocacy. Runners from Tarlac will have the chance to qualify in the national finals next weekend before moving to the Metro Manila leg on July 31 at the SM Mall of Asia in Parañaque City. Elimination round races will also be held in Batangas (August 21), Puerto Princesa (August 28), Naga (September 4), San Pablo (September 11), Ilo-Ilo (September 18), Bacolod (September 25), Cebu City (October 2), Tagbilaran (October 9), Cagayan De Oro (October 16), Butuan (October 23), General Santos (October 30), Davao (November 6) with the national finals scheduled on December 11. – Perry Legaspi/JVP, GMA News