By Patricia Bianca S. Taculao
NEW areas will be featured in the 41st season of the National MILO Marathon.
Urdaneta, Laoag and Roxas City were added to this year’s 16-leg competition, which will showcase new and exciting challenges for the runners.
MILO Philippines Sports Executive Robbie De Vera said it is MILO’s mission to engage more Filipinos to adapt an active and healthy lifestyle. Through the addition of key cities, the MILO National Marathon would widen its grasp and reach out to more participants.
The National MILO Marathon launched the official opening of its 41st season. This season boasts of new race locations and features for the expected 200,000 participants from different parts of the country to partake in the 3km, 5km, 10km, 21km and 42k distance categories.
“Magsama-sama, Tumakbo, Matuto” is the central theme for this season, driven by values—like discipline, resilience and determination, which MILO believes the runners can take with them everyday.
“In the National MILO Marathon, we see people from all walks of life who come to run, to learn, and to live. This year, we shine the spotlight on the runners who are learning along the way and taking these lessons beyond the finish line to shape their lives,” said De Vera.
The launch of the tournament also debuted the new Age Group Category which is an added feature in the 21k and 42k distance races. The new highlight will allow the participants to track and compare their performance with those of others in similar age groups. It is also intended to encourage runners to reach their personal goals and to attract more people in higher categories.
Some 10,000 runners are expected to take their marks at the start of the tourney on July 16 at Urdaneta City in Pangasinan. The pilot race will be followed by succeeding races scheduled on July 23 (Laoag), July 30 (Metro Manila), August 6 (Angeles), August 13 (Tarlac), August 27 (Naga), September 3 (Lucena), September 10 (Lipa), September 24 (Tagbiliran), October 1 (Roxas), October 8 (Iloilo), October 15 (General Santos), October 22 (Davao), November 12 (Butuan) and November 19 (Cagayan De Oro).
In accordance with last year’s National MILO Marathon, the final race will be hosted by Visayas on Dec. 3 in Cebu City.
“Our team is on its way to prepare for the biggest race of the season, so expect this year’s finale to be grander and bolder,” said Ricky Ballesteros, Organizer of the MILO Marathon National Finals.