MADELYN Carter, Mendel Lopez, singer-actress Donna Cruz-Larrazabal and Sen. Pia Cayetano took different paths to achieve their goals in the 33rd Milo National Marathon Cebu Leg yesterday.

Carter and Lopez earned their tickets to the National 42K Marathon in October; Cruz-Larrazabal conquered her first 21K race with flying colors; and Sen. Cayetano, a women’s rights and health advocate showed she can “walk the talk” by making it to the Top 10.

For updates from around the country, follow Sun.Star on Twitter

They were just part of the 20,005 souls who signed up for the annual race, which offered a total of P210,000 in cash prizes to the winners.

Carter won her first back-to-back Milo Leg title, beating closest rival Leiszl Lumindas-Gitaruelas who failed to finish race after suffering leg cramps as early as the first five kilometers.

Just like last year, Carter broke into tears.

“I cried not for the same reason as last year. Then, I cried because I finally won a race. Today these (tears) are for the sacrifices and hardship in training that I’ve been through for the past eight weeks,” Carter told Sun.Star Cebu.

Though she may have won two titles already, Carter isn’t really a veteran runner. She just took up the sport to shed weight three years ago.

She got hooked and now, she wants to improve her time of one hour, 31 minutes and 18 seconds in the next edition.

“I was not thinking of any opponent. What I thought was my opponent was the time. I had to beat the time. But I got some motivation from other runners. and I am very thankful to my coach Precilliano Capangpangan who helped me with my training,” Carter said.

Carter was followed by Jennifer Belocura (1:39.30), Lornis Echavez, Jade Marie Recto, Merlita Arias-Dunkin, Cayetano, Ani Karina De Leon, Emily Rosas, Veronica Ong and Cruz-Larrazabal.

Aside from the two male runners, no other lady runner will join Carter in the Manila race.

Qualifiers

To qualify for the national finals, runners have to beat the one hour 15 minutes cut-off in the men’s side and one hour and 35 minutes in the women’s side.

Only Men’s Open champion Mendel Lopez and Eugene Delposo made the cut.

Lopez, the 24-year-old runner from Sta. Catalina, Negros Oriental and former member of the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) athletic team, topped the race at one hour, 11 minutes and 11 seconds.

Delposo barely made the cut as he finished in 1:15:07.

Lopez ran his personal best and won his second Milo Cebu Leg title after winning it in 2007.

“I knew I could beat the qualifying time because in 2007, I ran in 1 hour and 13 minutes. I am also thankful that I got to join the Philippine team because I was able to improve my time,” Lopez said.

With the Cebuano Olympian Roy Vence as his coach, Lopez is hopeful of a better finish in the national marathon.

Missing the cut by three seconds was Adonis Singson in the Men’s class with 1:16:02, while Ian Bernido placed fourth. The rest of the top nine runners were Reprinel Banzon, Elvin Rey Flores, Roberto Daang, Pomas Nuñez Jr. and Glen Sobrio.

Cruz-Larrazabal, meanwhile, finished her run despite her aching legs.

“It was mixed emotions at the starting line. I felt nervous and excited because this was my first 21K race. And I am proud of myself that despite aching legs in the last 15 kilometers, I was able to make it. The heart and my willingness to finish the race carried me through,” said Cruz-Larrazabal.

She finished the race at 10th place in two hours, five minutes and 52 seconds.

Cayetano finished at sixth place in two hours and 34 seconds.

In the 10K race, Joel Delposo won the race at 35:37 and was trailed by Carl Malazarte, Charlie Berberio, Leo Abello, Rico Roquite, Heronisio Padilla, Rolan Batiancilla, Alfie Camay, Ricky Tabalayan and Ben Lloyd Palbino.

The women’s side was won by Sheen Gacayan in 45:32 with Eden Dampios, Valiere Ligan, Gerly Rose Baylon, Larawie Pino, Charisse Piramide and Marivic Beboso completing the top eight finishers.

The 5K race was won by 14-year old Edzel John Ardiente, while the 3K winners were Mac Nellas (boys) and Krista Beronio (girls).

Meanwhile, the University of Cebu Main won the Inter-School Team Running Competition, followed by the UC Maritime Education and Training Center and the Abellana National School.