Golden debut, redemption for intrepid Milo runners

A roaring introduction statement for Ritchie Estampador at the dawn of his promising track career, and sweet redemption for grizzled Maricar Camacho in her rollercoaster journey.

- JOHN BRYAN ULANDAY

From different roots, the two runners found themselves sharing glory as winners of the centerpiece 21-km event of the 2025 National Milo Marathon Manila leg at the Mall of Asia Concert Grounds Sunday.

Not even drizzles could dampen the fire and hunger of Estampador and Camacho, later hailed as the king and queen of this Milo half-marathon, outshining almost 20,000 other runners competing in different divisions.

Estampador, a marathon beginner from Mapua who traces his roots in La Castellana in Negros Occidental, stamped his class in the men's division, clocking one hour, 10 minutes and 18 seconds while Bacoor pride Camacho won the women's crown, at last, in 1:32:16 following a series of bridesmaid finishes.