425 marathoners clash for Milo crown tomorrow

MANILA, Philippines - After 17 regional races across the country, the much anticipated 34th National Milo Marathon Finals comes off the wraps tomorrow at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila. The culmination of the prestigious running event projects a bigger field with an estimated 20,000 registered participants joining the 3K, 5K, 10K, 21K and 42K races.

The main highlight of the event – the 42K full marathon – will feature 425 qualifiers from all over the country vying for the championship previously held by 2009 Milo Marathon King and Queen Cresenciano Sabal and Christabel Martes. Seasoned Filipino runners Eduardo “Vertek” Buenavista, Jho-An Banayag, Allan Ballester and Ramie Lacson will meet Kenyan contenders Abraham Missos, William Kipyego, Philip Ronoh and Irene Kipchumba.

Stakes have been raised for the top male and female finishers, with a P300,000 grand cash prize from last year’s P75,000. As a bonus, P20,000 will be given to runners who can break the existing records of Eduardo Buenavista (2:18:53) and Jho-An Banayag (2:48:16) while P50,000 will be given to runners who can break the 2:15:00 invisible barrier.

The six-month lead-up to the finals brings 200 more qualifiers from last year’s 235, following the competitive age group category implemented this season. Runners as young as 18 years old to sexagenarians will fill the starting line, with oldest qualifier 74-year-old Alfredo Fototana joining the pack. This year’s Milo Marathon saw a total of 200,000 participants.

 “This year’s race is bigger than ever, with more and more people – young and old and from different walks of life – taking an interest to the sport and joining the race. The 42K race is definitely going to be made more exciting with Kenyans added to the mix, to give our Filipino athletes international-level competition, ” said Nestle assistant vice president and Milo sports events executive, Pat Goc-Ong.

More than the increased turnout, Goc-Ong said the warm public support in the Milo Marathon sports advocacy helped provide running shoes to 4,000 public school children. Part of the proceeds from the 17 regional legs have already donated 3,600 pairs to school children from Manila, Dagupan, Baguio, General Santos, Davao, Cebu, Tagbilaran, Dumaguete, Iloilo, San Pablo, Naga, Batangas, Puerto Princesa, Tarlac, Olongapo, Butuan and Cagayan de Oro and an additional 400 more will be donated to San Diego elementary School following the finals.

Registration details, race regulations, route map and other information on the Milo Marathon can be accessed via the new Milo website, www.milo.com.ph.