Despite the heavy downpour mid-race, veteran runner Juneil Languido persevered and dethroned last year’s local 21K top placer Jeffrey Sotto Sunday at the 37th National MILO Marathon Cagayan de Oro qualifying race. Local bet Cresabel Cadion, who placed first in 2011, also forged a victory against her closest pursuers and managed to take back the CDO crown that was once hers. A total of 11,785 runners, including Region X Governor Bambi Emano who ran 5K, graced the tenth qualifying leg of the prestigious nationwide race, marking not only a higher headcount in the regional competition but also the continued support of the local government29-year old Languido, who posted the fastest qualifying time of last season in Cebu, clocked in at an equally impressive 1:12:39, beating fellow Bukidnon native Ramil Neri (1:14:55) and former CDO champion Jeffrey Sotto (1:15:30). Languido was expected to compete in the earlier Cebu qualifiers, and surprised both spectators and runners alike when he showed up at the starting line of today’s race
In the distaff side, Cadion, who placed third in last year’s local leg, redeemed herself at the finish line and posted a swift 1:31:22, way ahead of Davao runner Vivian Avergonzado (1:39:35) and Lezette Albarote (1:43:45). The 20-year old student from Pagdian City was also the second runner-up of the 42K Prycegas International Marathon in 2012
Wrapping up the day’s special awards are members of Misamis Oriental General Comprehensive High School (MOGHS), who, with 1705 finishers and an average time of 19:02, took home both the Biggest Delegation and Fastest Delegation plums
As an ongoing commitment to inspire more Filipinos especially the youth to overcome all of life’s obstacles and engage in a wholesome sport like running, MILO provides pairs of running shoes to underprivileged students nationwide through MILO’s Help Give Shoes advocacy. With the invaluable support of MILO Marathon runners and partners, a total of 500 pairs were delivered to beneficiary schools today in Cagayan de Oro, bringing the total shoe count to 29,700. Consolacion Elementary School, Bulua National High School, Puerto National High School, Macabalan Elementary School and Kauswagan Central School were among the advocacy’s beneficiaries
