The National MILO Marathon marks another milestone in its rich history as it celebrates its 40th year with a bang. The country’s premiere running event is set to commence its first of 14 regional races in Dagupan on July 17th.
Since the beginning, the National MILO Marathon has been inspiring individuals and attracting a pool of aspiring and professional runners from all walks of life, locally and internationally. This season, the National MILO Marathon expects 200,000 runners across all distance categories to conquer the challenge of reaching the finish line.As it celebrates its legacy of 40 years, the National MILO Marathon shines the spotlight on the champions who have encouraged millions of other runners to be at their best through sports.
The city of Iloilo has been selected to be the official venue of this year’s National Finals to be held on December 4th. This is the first time for Visayas to host the much anticipated culminating event. “The city of Iloilo is honored and excited to be a part of the National MILO Marathon’s historic culminating event,” said Iloilo City Mayor Jed Mabilog. “We are extending our full support and hospitality as we welcome the National MILO Marathon runners to Iloilo.” With its new venue, the National MILO Marathon will be able to provide better proximity to aspiring runners from the South, and enrich the experience of everyone with scenic routes, spacious thoroughfares and thrilling challenges that await the runners.
Last year’s victors,two-time MILO Marathon King Rafael Poliquit and three-time MILO Marathon Queen and 2016 Olympian Mary Joy Tabal, will go head-to-head with their closest contenders to defend their respective titles and bag the top purse of this season’s marathon. As one of their prizes for winning the 39th National MILO Marathon in 2015, Poliquit and Tabal recently competed in the world-famous Boston Marathon in Massachusetts last April 2016. Every year, MILO gives an opportunity to its MILO Marathon King and Queen winners to compete in an international race outside the country.
“The 40th anniversary of the National MILO Marathon is truly a grand milestone for us.We aim to go beyond than being the country’s prestigious footrace by providing better race experiences as we energize champions and inspire millions more,” said Andrew Neri, MILO Sports Marketing Manager. “The past and present champions of the National MILO Marathon have become our agents of motivation that energized Filipinos to be at their best in their respective endeavors. Their resilience, grit, discipline and other values have made them winners in sports and in life, and we hope to continue the cycle and see morechampionsin the future.”
The National MILO Marathon is not only a breeding ground for local talents but also a program that empowers children nationwide. For the past 6 years, the National MILO Marathon’s Help Give Shoes advocacy, in partnership with the Department of Education, has inspired 60,000 aspiring athletes to fulfill their dreams by donating brand new pairs of running shoes. This year, the Help Give Shoes advocacy will be donating 10,000 pairs to underprivileged school children.
Following the pilot race in Dagupan (July 17), the next elimination legs will take place in Tarlac (July 24), Metro Manila (July 31),Batangas (August 7), Lucena (August 14), Naga (August 28), Tagbilaran (September 18), Cebu (September 25), Dumaguete (October 2), Davao (October 9), General Santos (October 16), Cagayan De Oro (October 23), and Butuan (October 30). The National Finals will be held on December 4 in Iloilo City.
The 40th National MILO Marathon is made possible by the Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, Department of Education and the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association, and is supported by Asics, Salonpas, FWD, TIMEX, 2XU, Endurance, Hisense, Maynilad and PhilamLife.
For more information on MILO Philippines, log on to the official website (http://www.milo.com.ph)or the MILO Philippines Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/milo.ph).