39th Milo Marathon Lipa

MILO Marathon veterans Erinio Raquin and Cellie Rose Jaro triumphed in the 21K centerpiece event of the National MILO Marathon Lipa race on Sunday. Almost 7,000 participants enjoyed the good weather as they took to the running routes of Batangas. 

Raquin and Jaro have both secured their slots in the National Finals and each took home the top prize of P10,000 in cash and a trophy. Both will go head-to-head with the country’s best runners at the National Finals in Angeles on December 6, where the MILO Marathon King and Queen titles are up for grabs. This year’s King and Queen will be sent by MILO to the USA on all-expense paid trips, for a chance to run in the prestigious 2016 Boston Marathon.

Raquin posted a time of 01:15:13, beating rivals Archie Patubo (01:18:16) and Rolando Anonuevo (01:22:33) who came in second and third place, respectively.

30-year-old Raquin is no stranger to winning in the MILO Marathon. The native of Oriental Mindoro won second place in the Manila leg of the 2013 MILO Marathon Manila leg, and finished third in the 2013 National Finals. This year, he is aiming to top his achievements. “I have been doing a lot of long runs, drills and workouts. I also watch my intake of food and vitamins,” shared Raquin. “My main aim was to reach the qualifying time. I’m happy that I was able to win. I will now prepare very well for the finals.”

In the distaff side, Jaro finished with a time of 01:35:47, while Janeth Lumidao (01:37:16) followed in second place and Rowena Valdez (01:40:23) in third.

20-year-old Cellie Rose is one of the five siblings in the Jaro running family. Now a sophomore and varsity member at the University of the East, Jaro proves that balancing her studies with her running career can be achieved through determination and time management. “I do long runs in the morning then focus on my studies in the afternoon. It’s really important to manage my time well,” shared Jaro. “I was not able to train much for this race because I have classes in the afternoon. For the National Finals, I will focus more on long runs to build up on my endurance.”

The National MILO Marathon is not only a breeding ground for local talents but also a program that empowers children nationwide. With the support of the Department of Education and the National MILO Marathon runners, MILO’s Help Gives Shoes advocacy will provide 10,000 underprivileged youth with brand new running shoes this year. MILO is working with DepEd in the selection of deserving public school student beneficiaries.

The race will resume in Naga (August 16), before heading to 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.

39th MILO Marathon Calapan

SEA Games silver medalist and Philippine National Team member Mervin Guarte and MILO APEX Running Clinic coach Janette Agura clinched the first place honors in the 21K male and female divisions at the 39th National MILO Marathon Calapan qualifying leg on Sunday. Calapan is one of the new locations of the MILO Marathon this year. Over 5,000 runners of all ages graced the event and helped establish the record of the biggest fun run in Oriental Mindoro, to date.

Guarte and Agura have both secured their slots in the National Finals and each took home the top prize of P50,000 in cash and a trophy. Both will go head-to-head with the country’s best runners at the National Finals in Angeles on December 6, where the MILO Marathon King and Queen titles are up for grabs. This year’s King and Queen will be sent by MILO to the USA on all-expense paid trips, for a chance to run in the prestigious 2016 Boston Marathon.

It was Guarte’s first time to run in the 21K category. The 23-year-old native of Calapan clocked in at 01:12:12, beating rivals Jujet De Asis (01:14:56) and Roel Galvero (01:15:34) who came in second and third place, respectively.

In the distaff side, 37-year-old Janette Agura comfortably clinched the top spot with a time of 01:38:33. Jenny Manansala (02:03:17) finished in second place, and Herrera Mercy (02:15:47) in third place.

The National MILO Marathon is not only a breeding ground for local talents but also a program that empowers children nationwide. With the support of the Department of Education and the National MILO Marathon runners, MILO’s Help Gives Shoes advocacy will provide 10,000 underprivileged youth with brand new running shoes this year. MILO is working with DepEd in the selection of deserving public school student beneficiaries.

The race will resume in Lipa (August 9) before heading to 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.

[News Feature] Champions Reunite at the 39th MILO Marathon Balanga Race

More than 8,000 folks participated in the 39th National MILO Marathon making it the biggest race in Balanga City.

Balanga, Philippines, 19 July 2015 – MILO Marathon regulars Noel Fabros and Mary Grace Dela Torre topped the 21K centerpiece event at the 39^th National MILO Marathon Balanga qualifying leg on Sunday. Over 8,000 runners joined the race, including Balanga City Mayor Joet Garcia who ran in the 5K category. This is the first year that the MILO Marathon came to Balanga, and Sunday’s running event established the record of the biggest race in the city, to date.

In the men’s division, 39-year-old Fabros beat his rivals with a time of 01:24:25. Harly Baguistan (01:24:30) and Gerald De Jesus (01:26:57) placed second and third place, respectively. Fabros, a security guard from Isabela who regularly runs with the Daruik Running Club, placed 4^th in the 2013 MILO Marathon National Finals.

39-year-old Noel Fabros outpaced other runners in the 39th National MILO Marathon in Balanga.

Fabros almost did not make it to the finish line. “At some point in the race, I felt cramps and I tripped. Everyone thought I was not going to make it,” shared Fabros. “I thought to myself, I can’t give up now, after all the training and everything I’ve been through. I pushed myself and thankfully, I won.”

In the distaff side, 19-year-old Dela Torre bested her counterparts with a time of 01:47:34. Vanessa Grace Reyes (02:10:59) followed in second place, while Lilibeth Castro (02:15:28) finished in third. Dela Torre, a varsity member of the Far Eastern University running team, was last year’s MILO Marathon Tarlac qualifying leg champion.

FEU varsity athlete Mary Grace Dela Torre was in top speed to be the 21K female winner of the 39th National MILO Marathon in Balanga.

Both Fabros and Dela Torre have secured their slots in the National Finals and each took home the top prize of P10,000 in cash and a trophy. Both will go head-to-head with the country’s best runners at the National Finals in Angeles on December 6, where the MILO Marathon King and Queen titles are up for grabs. This year’s King and Queen will be sent by MILO to the USA on all-expense paid trips, for a chance to run in the prestigious 2016 Boston Marathon. 

Noel Fabros and Mary Grace Dela Torre clinched the highest spot as 21K winners of the 39th National MILO Marathon in Balanga.

The National MILO Marathon is not only a breeding ground for local talents but also a program that empowers children nationwide. With the support of the Department of Education and the National MILO Marathon runners, MILO’s Help Gives Shoes advocacy will provide 10,000 underprivileged youth with brand new running shoes this year. MILO is working with DepEd in the selection of deserving public school student beneficiaries.

The race will resume in Manila (July 26), before going to 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).

About MILO

The MILO brand is the world’s leading chocolate malt beverage that can be prepared with hot or cold milk or water. MILO also promotes participation in sports through its Summer Sports Clinics, MILO-B.E.S.T. Center Training Program, MILO Marathon, and MILO Little Olympics. The leading beverage brand believes that these contribute to the holistic development of Filipino champions in sports and in life.

About the National MILO Marathon

The National MILO Marathon is an annual marathon event open to amateur and professional runners. From its humble beginnings in 1974 as a single marathon race in Metro Manila attended by 747 participants, the National MILO Marathon has grown to be the biggest, longest, grandest national running event in the country attracting more than hundreds of thousands of runners across the country.

The National MILO Marathon has grown into a globally renowned running event having been certified by the Association of International Marathons (AIMS) and International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), and hosts foreign marathoners from Kenya, Ethiopia, and other countries across the world. The race is organized by RunRio, Inc.

About Nestle Philippines

Over a hundred years after it first started operations in the country, Nestle Philippines, Inc. (NPI) today is a robust and stable organization, proud of its role in bringing the best food and beverage throughout the stages of the Filipino consumers’ lives. The Company employs nearly 4,000 men and women nationwide, and is now among the country’s Top 8 Corporations. Driven by its mission to nurture generations of Filipino families, Nestle today produces and markets products under some of the country’s well-known brands such as NESCAFE, NIDO, MILO, NESTEA, MAGGI, BEAR BRAND, NESTLE and Purina, among others. Its product range has expanded to include coffee, milk, beverages, non-dairy creamer, food, infant nutrition, ice cream and chilled dairy, breakfast cereals, confectionery and pet care.

[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).

National Milo Marathon 2015 - Manila Leg

The MILO® Marathon is the longest-running and most-attended marathon in the Philippines. Since its inception in 1974, more and more people have joined, making it MILO®'s biggest and grandest sports event. Every year, more and more participants run different distances, supporting MILO®'s mission to build a nation of champions!

"Help Give Shoes" was launched in 2010. For every runner of the hundreds of thousands who signed up, a portion of the registration fee went to providing shoes for underprivileged children. MILO® matched the amount collected and as a result, 4,200 children received new pairs of shoes. Every year since then, the number of race participants and the corresponding number of shoes given out have increased, with 34,200 total pairs of shoes given out as of 2013.

Milo Marathon Elims - Manila Leg

Sunday, 26th July 2015, SM Mall of Asia Complex

Registration Fee
PHP80 - 3km (kiddie run)
PHP80 - 5km (students)
PHP110 - 5km (adults)
PHP530 - 10km 
PHP630 - 21km 
PHP730 - 42.195km 
Note: Plus (1) MILO 300g empty pack with an accomplished and signed official registration form

Registration Sites
ASICS (Bonifacio High Street, Fairview, Trinoma, Greenbelt)
Watch Republic SHOP Level 2 Main Mall SM Mall of Asia
Online registration 

Qualifying time for the National Finals
18-34 - 3 hours 55 minutes (men) - 4 hours 30 minutes (women)
35-39 - 4 hours 00 minutes (men) - 4 hours 35 minutes (women)
40-44 - 4 hours 05 minutes (men) - 4 hours 40 minutes (women)
45-49 - 4 hours 10 minutes (men) - 4 hours 45 minutes (women)
50-54 - 4 hours 15 minutes (men) - 4 hours 50 minutes (women)
55-59 - 4 hours 20 minutes (men) - 4 hours 55 minutes (women)
60-64 - 4 hours 25 minutes (men) - 5 hours 00 minutes (women)

Gun Start
3:00 AM - 42km
4:30 AM - 21km
5:00 AM - 10km
5:30 AM - 3km
5:35 AM - 5km

Official Cut-off Time
3km - 1 hour after official start of the race
5km - 1 hour after official start of the race
10km - 1 ½ hours after official start of the race
21km - 2 ½ hours after official start of the race
42.195km - 6 hours after official start of the race 

Need more inspiration?  Watch this video.  :)  

Milo Marathon 2015 Calendar

Lace up your running shoes, and start training for the upcoming Milo Marathon season!

Now on its 39th year, Milo Marathon is more than a race, it is a tradition that continues to expand its reach - 18 leg races across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.  

What makes Milo Marathon as the most anticipated foot race in the country is its promotion of the "Filipino discipline, commitment, and passion to be Champions".  It also partners with schools and communities throughout the years, and in recent years - the shoes advocacy.  

Looking for some motivational videos?  I'm posting last year's video launch of Milo Marathon.  

Here is my favorite Milo Marathon videos from Milo's YOUTUBE compilation.