Paint the town green as Cebu leg of Milo Marathon kicks off today

CEBU, Philippines – Over 23,000 runners and fitness buffs as well will once again flood the city’s main thoroughfares as the Cebu leg of the 39th National Milo Marathon gets underway early this morning starting at the Cebu Normal University grounds and ending at the Cebu City Sports Center.

Though 3,000 short from last year’s record-establishing number of entries that hit 26, 620, Cebu organizer Ricky Ballesteros is still very happy with the turnout, even as he also looks forward to another highly successful race as they have had always savored in the past.

Aside from the Cebuanos, several other runners mostly in the half marathon action are joining in the grueling battle in including from Leyte and Dumaguete and several areas in Mindanao and Manila.

Although the total number of participants ailed to break the 2014 attendance, Ballesteros and his staff reports a relative increase of entries in the 3K and 21K.

This is because the organizers have decided to allow adults to run in the 3K division. However, only those 12-year-old and under are qualified to win the cash prizes at stake for that division.

More runners are also seeing action in the 21L, with hopes of making it to the National Finals set to take place this December in Angeles City for the first time in 39 years.

As of the latest count, the 3K has 926 entries, 5K has the biggest chunk of 21,000, 10K has 418 and the 21K has 690 entries.

Nestle Philippines through its Milo sports executive Andrew Neri and RunRio led by Rio dela Cruz assure everyone of a safe and worthwhile race wherein each participant will go home nothing but with good memories to cherish.

"We have a different route for the 3K and 5K as well as for the 10K and 21K.  We also have two finish lines to ensure the smooth flow of the race," said Neri.

De la Cruz said the route in Cebu will give runners a good chance for to establish their personal best.

Ballesteros, for his part, is elated that they got full support from the Philippine National Police, the Local Government Unit, the Cebu City Transportation Office, the 15 barangays involved, the different communicators and rescue groups and even from schools to ensure everyone's safety.

A total of 11 water stations plus a sponge and Gatorade station are scattered along the race route that will again be adorned with a cheerful and lively crowd.

"This is a collective effort, we unite for the Milo Marathon and treat it as our very own," said Ballesteros.

With everything already in place, the tens of thousands of runners have nothing else to worry as they run to pursue their dreams. (FREEMAN)