Elite runners Eric Panique and Luisa Raterta blew the competition away at the 42K division race of the 37th National MILO Marathon Manila qualifying leg Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Grounds, Pasay City. A record-shattering 42,214 runners joined the country’s premier footrace, marking the largest number of participants in a single race in the history of the MILO Marathon28-year old Panique settled the score towards the finish line and clocked in at a swift 2:30:20.51, beating Condura Skyway Marathon 2013 Filipino champion Irineo Raquin (2:30:20.73) with just 22 milliseconds to spare. Last year’s MILO Marathon Manila Eliminations champion Jeson Agravante placed a distant third with a time of 2:41:55
In the distaff side, Raterta crossed the finish line at 3:14:17, way ahead of 2012 MILO Marathon National Finals 42K women’s second runner-up Jennylyn Nobleza (3:23:27) and Geralden Sealza (3:32:40)
“MILO is very proud of surpassing our target headcount for the Manila qualifying leg, as well as of inspiring more runners, particularly the youth, to lace up their running shoes and take on the challenge of a marathon race,” said Andrew Neri, MILO Sports Executive. “The rise of local talent among the 42,214 marathoners in today’s race launches bright possibilities for the finale. We are looking forward to seeing an all-Filipino finish in December to bring pride to our home soil at the Paris Marathon next year”
