Milo run kicks off

Veteran runners are out to smoke the competition today as a record 19,252 runners troop to the streets early this morning in the Milo National Marathon-Visayas leg elimination race at the Cebu City Sports Center.

Defending champion Christy Sevilleno of University of Cebu and Rogelio Reli of the Philippine Army are eyeing their fourth championship crown in the premier 21-kilometer elimination race.

A victory by Sevilleno today would mean another chance to go for the national championship title after finishing third in 2003 and second in last year's edition, bowing to Stella Diaz-Mamac of Davao City.

Reli, for his part, is yet to make an impact in the national finals, which is a 42-kilometer race.

Last year, it was Bogo-native Roy Vence, who topped the race.

Aside from the 21K run, there will also be a 5K Fun Run for students and running enthusiasts and the 3K Kiddies Run for those 12-year old and below.

All in all, there will be a record field of 19,252 registered runners, who are expected to join.

University of Cebu is fielding in the most number of entries with 5,000 from its main campus.

But the Biggest Delegation award will go to the school with the most number of finishers.

The other schools fielding runners are UC-METC, UCLM, UC-Banilad, University of Southern Philippine-Foundation, Cebu State College of Science and Technology, Cebu Normal University and the University of San Carlos.

There will also be a cheer-dance competition to spice up the action.

Awarding will follow right away with Milo Sports Director Pat Goc-Ong and CCSC manager and Milo-Cebu organizer Ricky Ballesteros spearheading the ceremonies.