NAGA CITY — Luisa Raterta made it to the final of the 33rd National Milo Marathon elimination when she won the Naga leg for the fifth time since 2003.

An eight-year veteran of the country’s longest running footrace, Raterta dominated the 21k course, clocking 1:31.48, surpassing the 1:35 qualifying time in the race that started and ended in front of Plaza Quezon.

“This will be my ninth appearance in the finals. I will try my best to become the first Bicolana runner to win the prestigious race,” said 28-year-old mother of three from Tabaco, Albay. She also won P10,000 for her victory.

May Ilo and Myra Luz Abueg failed to join Raterta to the finals, clocking 1:50.51 and 1:59.10, for second and third, respectively.

The Naga leg, however, ended without a male finalist as eventual winner David Madera failed to make the grade and consoled himself with P10,000.

Raterta is hoping to improve on her fifth place finish in 2004.

“I could have submitted a better time if the opposition was tough. It’s good, I made it to the finals for the ninth time,” she said.

Three runners from Bicol have won in the national finals – Victor Idava, from Catanduanes, and the Ballesters brothers, Wilfredo and Allan from Sorsogon.

Raterta joined Mario Maglinao, the Legazpi leg winner, to represent Bicol in the finals to challenge reigning men champion Eduardo Buenavista and Mercedita Manipol in the 42k race in October in Manila.

Madera, a member of the track team of University of Santo Tomas, is satisfied with his time despite failing to breach the 1:15 qualifying mark.

Madera competed in the 10,000m, 5,000m and 3,000m steeplechase in the UAAP.

Reynand Novallasca, fifth placer last year, came in second behind Madera.