14 regional races mark 40th year of Milo Marathon

MANILA, Philippines - The Milo Marathon marks its 40th year with a bigger, explosive staging with 14 regional races lined up and over 200,000 runners expected in various race categories.

Organizers of the country’s longest-running race also hope the event will produce the next Olympic runner after Mary Joy Tabal made it to next month’s Rio Games.

“I wouldn’t be where I am right now if not for the Milo Marathon,” said Tabal, who made the Olympic cut in Canada recently, in a video interview.

Like Tabal, the winners of the centerpiece 42km race will gain tickets to the Boston and Tokyo Marathon, both courtesy of Milo.

Organizers believe this season will be another milestone year.

“The 40th anniversary is truly a grand milestone for us and 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 Milo sports marketing manager Andrew Neri.

Milo executive Robbie de Vera, for his part, said Milo hopes to continue its advocacy of doling out running shoes to poor kids.

“We’ve given a total of 60,000 pairs of shoes in the past and we hope to continue our advocacy and give more this year,” said De Vera.

This year’s race will also mark the first time that the National Finals will be held outside Luzon with Iloilo hosting the big event on Dec. 4.

Clark, Pampanga hosted last year’s finale.

The race also firmed up its partnership with the Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association headed by its president Philip Ella Juico with the Milo Marathon winners gaining spots in the national team.

Phl Sports commissioner Arnold Agustin also graced the event launch which will kicks off on Sunday in Dagupan City.

“We’re very happy to sit down with Patafa so that we can align the Milo Marathon to the schedule of the Patafa training because we’re one in our goal of building champions,” said Neri.

After Dagupan, the race will go to Tarlac (July 24), Metro Manila (July 31), Batangas (Aug. 7), Lucena (Aug. 14), Naga (Aug. 28), Tagbiliran (Sept. 18), Cebu (Sept. 25), Dumaguete (Oct. 2), Davao (Oct. 9), General Santos (Oct. 16), Cagayan de Oro (Oct. 23), and Butuan (Oct. 30) before the Iloilo National Finals.

The race is made possible by the PSC, Department of Education, PATAFA and supported by Asics, Salonpas, TIMEX, 2XU, Endurance, Hisense, Maynilad and PhilamLife.

For more information, interested parties may log on to the official website (http://www.milo.com.ph) or the Milo Phls Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/milo,ph) or its Twitter account @MiloPH and Instagram @MiloPhilippines.