Determined Pescos rules Milo Marathon-Manila leg

Rafael Pescos crosses the finish line first to rule the 42k distance of the Manila qualifying race of the 41st National Milo Marathon in Metro Manila yesterday. (Contributed)

Months of hard work paid off for Hinigiran City-native Rafael Pescos as the prized long distance runner of Spectrum Runners Club topped the Manila qualifying race of the 41st National Milo Marathon yesterday.

The 23-year-old, Cebu-based runner crossed the finish line at the Mall of Asia grounds in Pasay City with a time of two hours, 38 minutes and 27 seconds to win the men’s 42-kilometer title.

Pescos, last year’s Cebu qualifying leg champion and reigning Cebu City Marathon 42k champion, said he badly wanted to win this race.

“For six months, I really trained and put in the hard work to prepare for the Manila qualifications,” said Pescos, who won his first Milo Marathon race in Manila. “Even if I am not familiar with the race route in Manila, I was determined to fight and finish strong.”

It can also be recalled that Pescos faltered in the grand finals of the National Milo Marathon last year in Iloilo, failing to finish due to health problems.

After the victory, Pescos said he will share part of his prize money of P50, 000 to the training fund of the Spectrum Runners Club.

Former Milo Marathon champion Erick Panique settled for second place with a time of 2:43.10 while Cebuano Noel Tillor rounded off the top three, clocking 2:47.31.

Pescos’ teammate, Cebuana multi-titled runner Lizane Abella, finished third in the women’s 42k race with a time of 3:29.48.

Cinderalla Lorenzo ruled the race after clocking 3:16.15 while Lany Cardona placed second with a time of 3:23.38.

With their victories, both Pescos and Lorenzo booked slots to the national finals to be held in Cebu City on Dec. 3.

The next qualifying race is on Aug. 6 in Angeles City, Pampanga.