Estampador, Camacho stamp class in Manila Leg

RITCHIE Estampador and Maricar Camacho ruled the 21-kilometer (km) run of their respective divisions in the 2025 National Milo Marathon Manila Leg on Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Grounds in Pasay City.

The two champions are now automatically qualified for the national finals in Iloilo.

The 23-year-old Estampador kept his focus as soon as the gun started.

He crossed the finish line first in the men's division with a time of one hour, 10 minutes and 18 seconds.

Estampador is a Mapua University trackster and holds the current NCAA record in 3000 meter Steeplechase with his time of 9:12:23.

Scoring another achievement, Estampador stamped his class in the longest race of Milo, and was surprised that he was able to pull through the race.

"I am so happy because I am able to dominate and win the 21-kilometer race, actually, this is my first time," he said excitedly while holding his trophy.

"I would like to thank my family, and this is for the people in Negros Occidental," he added.

Roy Laudit, 24, finished second (1:15:09), while Mark Anthony Oximar, 31, clinched the last spot of the podium (1:17:23)

In the women's division, Camacho asserted her dominance once more after submitting 1:32:16.

"Of course, it is a good feeling to win. Patience, the race is all about patience.

She now looks ahead to dominate the national finals.

Jho-An Villarma and Charilyn Ayende finished second (1:43:21) and third (1:49:20), respectively.

Villarma stood proudly representing the Philippine Army, while Ayende was beaming with pride as this is the first time she won in any marathon.

In other results, James Ordaña dominated the men's 10-km run (0:32:07), while Joida Gagnao took the gold in the women's division (0:39:27).

In the 5-km category, 23-year-old Alfrence Braza was the fastest male, finishing with a time of 15 minutes and 54 seconds, while 26-year-old Jonez Susituedo was the fastest female, clocking in 21 minutes and a second.

Twelve-year-old Jercho Danao crossed the finish line first (0:10:50) in the 3-km category, while 11-year-old Alessandra Quiambao tallied 0:12:20 to hail as the fastest in the girls' division.