Cebuano Tillor targets podium finish in Milo nat’l marathon final race today

BOGO City’s veteran long distance runner Noel Tillor is ready and all revved up to face the country’s best marathon runners in today’s 39th National Milo Marathon Finals in Angeles City, Pampanga.

Tillor, who dominated the Cebu Qualifying Leg last October along with women’s leg champion, Sultan Kudarat’s Ruffa Sorongon will compete in the 42-kilometer full marathon.

The two will be joined by Cebuana Mary Joy Tabal who is the two-time defending champion of the women’s category and the race record-holder.

Tillor revealed that he covered 18 weeks of grueling training and long distance runs to prepare for this race while at the same time juggling his time for family and work as an auto mechanic.

In the national finals last year in Manila, Tillor placed fifth last year in the Filipino category. But this time, the Bogo native is very determined to make it to the top three in today’s race.

“I am praying hard to land in the top three places and I also pray that my body will be in full strength during the race,” said 30-year old Tillor.

Rafael Poliquit dominated the men’s 42k race in the national finals last year.

Tillor finished the 21k Cebu Qualifying race with the time of one hour, 14 minutes and 46 seconds, a minute shy of his personal record of 1:13.

This year’s champion in both the men’s and women’s 42k Filipino category will take home huge cash prizes and a ticket to the prestigious Boston Marathon next year.