Simultaneous races usher in bigger, better Milo marathon

Inspired by the success of its simultaneous races last year, the National Milo Marathon will hold more of such events when the 33rd edition of the longest running foot race is fired off Feb. 8 in Subic and Dipolog City.

“We were inspired by the huge success of our four-city simultaneous races last year so for this year, we decided to stage weekly simultaneous races in two cities,” said Nestle AVP and Milo sports events executive Pat Goc-ong in yesterday’s media launch at the Bayview Park Hotel.

“This development truly sets the National Milo Marathon in a class of its own,” he added.

Reigning women’s champion Mercedita Manipol-Fetalvero also graced the event but remained undecided whether or not she would defend her crown, this being a SEA Games year.

“It will depend on my coach and my condition because 2009 is a Southeast Asian Games year. I’ll decide when the right time comes,” said Fetalvero in Filipino.

Fellow RP team mainstay Eduardo Buenavista is the defending men’s champion.

The ‘09 Milo marathon will start Feb. 8 in Subic and Dipolog followed by races in Batangas and Iligan City the following week and in General Santos City and Palawan on Feb. 22.

“It’s another challenge that we’re definitely looking forward to and we know that the simultaneous races will further add excitement to the event, which gets bigger with each staging,” Dennis Austriaco, business executive manager of Nestle Phils.’ Beverage division.

Others in the launch were Philippine Sports commissioner Eric Loretizo, Milo Sports events executive Andrew Neri, Bayview Park Hotel general manager Eugene Yap and race director Rudy Biscocho.