[News Feature] Milo Marathon's 39th Season

Champions to move forward as MILO Marathon welcomes 39^th season

39^th National MILO Marathon King and Queen to compete in 2016 Boston Marathon

Manila, Philippines, 18 June 2015 – The National MILO Marathon, the country’s most prestigious running event, is set to mark its 39^th season this year, with the first of 18 regional legs set in Dagupan on June 28. A globally-renowned race event, the MILO Marathon continues to attract not only running enthusiasts and professional athletes, but also runners from all walks of life from across the country and internationally. The National MILO Marathon expects 230,000 runners to participate this season. Throughout the years, the esteemed race has not only catered to professional athletes but also welcomed aspiring runners in the 3-K and 5-K distances where young aspiring sprinters have emerged as division winners.

Aside from the new race locations in Balanga and Calapan, runners will surely look forward to this year’s National Finals, which will be held in Angeles, Pampanga on December 6.  Through these new venues, MILO will provide participants fresh challenges with better race routes which showcase the great running experience that the MILO Marathon is known for. “With these routes, runners will be able to get a chance to enjoy being away from the hustle and bustle of Metro Manila, with less traffic and pollution. We believe that our runners will appreciate this,” said Rio Dela Cruz, MILO Marathon Race Organizer.

From left: Robbie De Vera, MILO Sports Executive, Coach Rio De la Cruz, National MILO Marathon Race Organizer, Mary Joy Tabal, 2014 MILO Marathon Queen, Sherilla Bayona, Business Executive Manager, Beverages Unit, Nestle Philippines, Atty. Tonisito Umali, Assistant Secretary of DepEd, Andrew Neri, MILO Sports Marketing Manager

Last year’s winners Rafael Poliquit and Mary Joy Tabal will be looking to defend their coveted National MILO Marathon King and Queen crowns as they go head-to-head with the country’s best this season. In line with MILO’s commitment in supporting the country’s finest athletes in establishing their prowess in the global competitive arena, this year’s National Finals victors will be given a chance to join the 2016 Boston Marathon, one of the six World Marathon Majors, and the world's oldest annual marathon which ranks as one of the world's best-known road racing events. “The Boston Marathon is considered as the Mecca of all races, where the best of the best runners compete. We at MILO believe that our Filipino runners have what it takes to go head-to-head with the world's finest athletes,” said Andrew Neri, MILO Sports Marketing Manager. “It will surely be a challenging yet fulfilling experience for our 2015 MILO Marathon King and Queen as they represent our country with pride in the Boston Marathon.

Mary Joy Tabal, Milo Marathon Queen 2014

To further inspire the 42K homegrown runners to push their limits and help champions move forward, local runners who finish amongst the top winners of the open category will also win the prize for the local category corresponding to their respective ranks. Bonus prizes will also be given to the first runner who breaks the 2:15:00 invisible time barrier (Php 100,000), the first male runner who breaks the 2:18:53 men’s course record of 5-time MILO Marathon King Eduardo Buenavista (Php 50,000), and the first female runner who breaks the 2:48:00 women’s course record of back-to-back MILO Marathon Queen Mary Joy Tabal (Php 50,000). “We want to provide our Filipino runners the motivation and additional level of competition, and support them in their journey as champions,” added Neri. “We at MILO believe that everyone has different reasons for running, but all runners keep moving forward as they tread the way to becoming a champion. We invite everyone to join us in the 39^th National MILO Marathon and let their champion story begin.”

The National MILO Marathon is not only a breeding ground for local talents but also a program that empowers children nationwide. For the past 5 years, the National MILO Marathon’s Help Give Shoes advocacy, in partnership with the Department of Education, has inspired 50,000 aspiring athletes to fulfill their dreams by donating brand new pairs of running shoes. Php 10 from every runner’s registration fee will be allotted to the advocacy. MILO will then match the proceeds and work with the Department of Education to select 10,000 deserving public school student beneficiaries for this year.

Following the pilot race in Dagupan (June 28), the elimination legs will resume in Baguio (July 5), Tarlac (July 12), Balanga (July 19), Manila (July 26), Calapan (August 2), Lipa (August 9), Naga (August 16), Lucena (August 30), Iloilo (September 20), Bacolod (September 27), Tagbilaran (October 4), Cebu (October 11), General Santos (October 18), Davao (November 8), Butuan (November 15), and Cagayan De Oro (November 22). The National Finals will be held on December 6 in Angeles, Pampanga.

The 39^th National MILO Marathon is made possible by Timex, the Bayview Park Hotel Manila, ASICS and Smart, along with endorsements from the Department of Education, Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Olympic Committee.

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). 

Follow MILO on Twitter (@MiloPH) and Instagram (@MiloPhilippines).