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.

[Race Result] 39th Milo Marathon Manila

Veteran runners Eric Panique and Luisa Raterta made headlines as they grabbed the top spots in the 42K centerpiece event at the 39th National MILO Marathon Manila qualifying leg on Sunday. Almost 35,000 runners of all ages answered the challenge and enjoyed the great sunny weather as they conquered the MILO Marathon race routes.

In the men’s division, Panique outpaced his rivals, beating them with a time of 02:37:44. Mario Maglinao (02:39:47) followed in second place, while Rene Desuyo (02:45:57) finished in third place.

Panique trained with 5-time MILO Marathon King Eduardo Buenavista in Baguio City to prepare for the race. Despite stiff competition from his fellow elite runners early on in the race, he persevered to move forward. “There were some runners ahead of me at the start,” shared Panique. “I increased my pace in the last six kilometers and thankfully, I was able to beat them. I am very grateful to the Lord for his guidance in helping me achieve this honor.”

In the distaff side, Luisa Raterta rose above her counterparts and topped the race with a time of 03:10:36. Rounding up the top 3 female 42K runners are Criselyn Jaro (03:25:03) in second place, and April Rose Diaz (03:34:02) in third place.

Whenever Raterte takes a break from her own personal training, she coaches aspiring runners and athletes on the street in Sta. Rosa, Laguna, to turn them away from bad vices. She revealed that she also trains her daughter. 13-year-old Leonalyn Raterta, a champion in her own right, won third place in the 5K category. “Leonalyn just finished competing in the Palarong Pambansa, and now, she won in the MILO Marathon,” shared Luisa. “She’s very dedicated to running. I always enjoy training with her and as her mother, I couldn’t be any prouder. “

Looking for race result? Click here 

The country’s biggest and most prestigious event was also graced by celebrities who are MILO Marathon regulars, including The Biggest Loser Pinoy Edition coach and MILO APEX founder Jim Saret and Toni Saret, MILO R2 ambassador and football star Tata Garcia-Long, fitness enthusiast and triathlete Kuya Kim Atienza, and avid runner Karylle Tatlonghari-Yuzon. “The race route was so beautiful because you could see the Manila Bay sunrise. The runners from the MILO community are also very friendly,” shared Karylle. “There was a group of students who stayed with me towards the end of the race. I was already a bit tired, but they waited for me to catch up and encouraged me to go on. The energy and support from everyone is the best.”

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 Calapan (August 2), before heading to 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.