SAN FERNANDO, La Union. - Former national champion Julius
Sermona proved too much for his rivals, cruising to victory Sunday in the 18th
leg of the National Milo Marathon here.
Champion in 2006 and a veteran of international events
including the 2005 Southeast Asian Games in Manila and the Asian Grand Prix,
Sermona dominated the race right from the start and finished the 21-kilometer
race in one hour, eight minutes and 34 seconds.
He booked a place in the grand finals set Nov. 30 in Manila,
although he admitted it will be difficult to score another title with some of
the country's top runners vying for the P75,000 top prize.
"Malakas sina (Cresenciano) Sabal and (Eduardo) Buenavista
(both former champs). Pero gagawin ko ang lahat para manalo," said Sermona.
"Pinaghandaan ko to dahil gusto kong tumakbo uli sa finals.
Masaya ako dahil hindi ako nabigo," added Sermona, who bagged P10,000.
Alley Quisay of Bolinao, Pangasinan, checked in second in
1:12.34 to bag P6,000 while Ireneo Raquin placed third in 1:15.40 and took home
P4,000. The two will also join Sermona in the national finals.
Quiisay and Raquin challenged Sermona in the early goings
but, as expected, failed to keep up when the veteran internationalist upped the
pace.
"Pinilit kong habulin di ko abutan. Mabilis yung pacing niya.
Malakas talaga si Sermona," said Quisay.
Geraldine Sealza won the women's race, clocking 1:45.00
followed by Rosario Alberto in 2:08.21 and Rachele Ay-yad in 2:14.32.
Vice mayor Pancrasio Nisce fired the starting gun, assisted
by Nestle AVP and Milo Sports Executive Pat Goc-Ong, race organizer Joseph
Dumuk and race executive director Rudy Biscocho.
On Sunday, Ilocos Norte hosts the 19th leg of the event being held in
partnership with the Tourism Department, Adidas and Bayview Park Hotel.
