More than 19,000 Cebuanos run in National Milo Marathon

Jogging has become for millions of people not just a habit, but an indispensable way of life. Though the popularity of running is easy to confirm, what is less obvious and only partially understood is that its psychological benefits are at least as important as its physical ones. Runners are likely to acquire a "high" from running and feel surges of joy that carry over into their daily lives. It increases their self-esteem and they are better able to cope with pressure.

Without a doubt, the annual National Milo Marathon is a landmark event in local sports, aiming to provide wellness and well-being and, at the same time, discover and develop the country’s best marathoners for local and international competitions. It has grown into the country’s premier running event, seeding participants for races abroad.

In Cebu, over 19,000 runners of all ages, ranging from a mere two-year-old to 85, took part in the elimination leg .

The number of participants was so large that it took more than 20 minutes for the mass start to end, making a first in the history of the race that is the longest existing and most awaited running competition.

On hand to witness and cheer the mammoth crowd was Cebu Vice Mayor Michael Rama. He was joined by Nestle executives, such as assistant vice president and Milo brand manager Michelle Calo, sports executive Pat Goc-Ong, regional sales manager for East Visayas Rocky Alcantara, regional category sales executive Bikka Ricalde, senior administrative assistant for beverages Gigi Fernandez, and Cebu Pacific special events director Ana Mendoza.

The race started in front of the Cebu Normal University and ended at the Cebu Sports Center. Grabbing the crown in the men’s 21K category was Rogelio Reli, followed closely by Joseph Penales and Roland Montebon. In the women’s division, 22-year-old Christy Servillano won for the fourth consecutive year. Liezl Gitaruelas placed second, and Merlita Arias, third.

Aside from the races, another eagerly anticipated activity in every Milo Marathon is the cheer dance competition, which is participated in by elementary and high school students. The electrifying performance of the Inayawan Night High School merited first place, while Pit-Os National School and Ramon M. Durano Memorial National School placed second and third, respectively.

In the elementary division, City Central School won first place, followed by Barrio Luz Elementary School and Don Vicente Rama Memorial Elementary School.

Once again, the National Milo Marathon proves that the marathon spirit is alive and well among Filipinos as it breaks and enjoys tremendous success wherever it goes. This is no fad; it is a phenomenon that is not going to disappear, for its benefits and rewards are so immediate and so striking that almost anyone who tries it for a week is apt to be smitten for life.

This year’s marathon event is sponsored by Bayview Park Hotel Manila, Adidas, Cebu Pacific, SmartKid, Department of Tourism, Addict Mobile Prepaid and Power Bar, with the participation of key cities such as General Santos, Tacloban, Cagayan de Oro, Lipa, Naga, Davao, Manila, Laoag, Tarlac, Cebu, Butuan, Iloilo, and Santiago.