MANILA, Philippines - How do you live a healthy lifestyle? Most people turn to sports to help them achieve their goal, but over the years, running has always been a very popular option, as seen in the many marathon events that are being held each year.
Of all these, however, the National Milo Marathon remains the mother of all marathons, attracting 200,000 runners from all walks of life across the country, each with their own engaging stories to tell. Thanks to its reputation as a sporting and lifestyle event that boasts a rich history of producing runners of distinction.
Caroline Frijlink, who placed second in the 21K race in Davao, sees the National Milo Marathon not just as a major sporting event but also as a “big social event.” “Here, you have thousands of people running together, enjoying the fun atmosphere, which is great,” says Caroline, who works as a volunteer for the Alternate Forum for Research in Mindanao (AFRIM), an organization that researches on social and ecological issues.
For 2000 and 2001 Marathon champion Allan Ballester, the National Milo Marathon is a family affair. “We’ve always followed the National Milo Marathon. I remember my brother Wilfredo winning the title in 1985, 1990, and 1991. It really inspired me to become a champion and I feel blessed to have won the title twice in a row,” says Wilfredo, who was joined by his sons Alex, John Alexis, and Justin in the San Pablo elimination race.
“This event started in the ’70s and it’s going strong until now. The consistency and popularity of the National Milo Marathon is truly amazing and it’s something that other running events don’t have,” says Wilfredo Ballester, who will compete in the national finals.
In Tagbilaran City, regional organizer Atty. Dionisio Balete sees the National Milo Marathon as a “uniting event” as it brings families and young adults together.
Councilor Halila Sudagar of Davao says that running events like the National Milo Marathon encourage kids to become champions by inspiring them to think positively, live healthily, and seriously pursue their education.
As another highly successful edition of the National Milo Marathon ends in Manila on Oct. 11, the country’s biggest and most prestigious running event, the first to use a disposable timing chip in the 42K category, would have again played an enviable role in building champions in life, by inspiring thousands of runners to overcome their limits and live a healthy lifestyle.