TWO familiar faces have emerged triumphant in the 42K centerpiece event of the Manila Leg of the National MILO Marathon.

Florendo Lapiz and Lizane Abella displayed an epic performance for leading the course throughout the race, besting hundreds of elite runners in the country’s grandest and longest-running footrace.

The successful turnout of 20,000 has rendered the streets of Pasay and Manila green, where people from all walks of life enjoyed different distance categories ranging from 1K, 3K, 5K to 10K, 21K, and 42K.

Lapiz made a significant lead against second placer Salvador Polillo, both posting a time of 2:42:33 and 2:49:54, respectively.

Completing the magic three is another hot contender Welfred Esporma, who clocked in at 2:58:51.

On the distaff side, Abella bested her contemporaries with the time of 3:21:05. She is followed by last year’s Manila leg female winner,

Maricar Camacho, who finished second at 3:26:19, and Jewel De Luna clocking in at 3.27:05.

The unusually higher temperatures have proven to be a bit challenging for Lapiz and Abella, both Cebu natives. Nevertheless, the flat thoroughfares made it somehow an easy route to navigate.

With sheer grit and determination, Lapiz and Abella maintained their pace until they reached the finish line.

“Pag dito kasi, kailangan galingan mo talaga. Gagawin mo talaga ang best mo sa laro na ito. Pero ito ang hilig namin eh. Manalo man o matalo, tanggap namin iyon,” said Lapiz.

.Abella was able to hit her breakaway in the 32KM-mark after outracing second placer Camacho. She revealed that her children were her biggest motivation for this race.

“Pinaghirapan ko talaga itong race na ito,” said Abella. “Pinush ko talaga ang sarili ko para manalo ako. Inaalay ko itong panalo ko sa mga anak ko.”

Both Lapiz and Abella have earned their top seeds in the National Finals, where they will compete with the country’s best in Cagayan de Oro in December.

Not to be outdone are the side activities that transpired after the races.

In the cheer dance competition, delegates from different schools were in a fierce battle.

Camarin D. Elementary School, Signal Village National Highschool, and Colegio de San Juan de Letran were named champions in their respective divisions.

Meanwhile, Jose Rizal University was awarded the biggest delegation.