MANILA, Philippines – Milo celebrates its 50th anniversary here in the Philippines by holding its 38th Milo Marathon with an 18-leg event starting in Baguio on June 29 and culminating with the National Finals on December at the SM Mall of Asia grounds in Pasay City.
After bringing last year’s winners Eduardo Buenavista and Mary Joy Tabal to the Paris Marathon early this year, winners of this year's race will represent the country in the Tokyo Marathon next year.
Buenavista and Tabal are expected to defend their titles against a strong field estimated to reach 230,000, 16,000 of whom are underprivileged youth who will be given brand new pairs of running shoes to breach the 50,000 mark through the Help Give Shoes advocacy thanks to Milo.
The foundation is also hoping to give donations to students in Yolanda-ravaged cities particularly Tacloban, Ormoc and Eastern Samar.
"We want to raise awareness about the value of sports in bringing a wealth of physical and mental benefits and teaching life values that prepare school children for a successful adulthood," said Nestle Phl Beverages Business Executive Manager Sherilla Bayona in yesterday's event launch at the Bayview Park Hotel.
Bayona said they also formed a program with the Department of Education under the leadership of Bro. Armin Luistro dubbed "One Child, One Sport" campaign, which aimed to consolidate their new and existing sports programs under a one-umbrella campaign.
"One Child, One Sport is a program that encourages children to get into an active and healthy lifestyle and eventually lead them to sports," said Bayona.
Throughout the years, the National Milo Marathon has not only catered to professional athletes but also welcomed aspiring runners in the 3-kilometer and 5-km distances where young sprinters have emerged division winners.
In between the Baguio Leg and the National Finals, the Milo Marathon goes to Dagupan (July 6), Tarlac (July 13), Angeles (July 20), Manila (July 27), Naga (Aug. 24), Lucena (Aug. 31), Puerto Princesa (Sept. 7), Lipa (Sept. 14), Iloilo (Sept. 21), Bacolod (Sept. 28), Tagbiliran (Oct. 5), Cebu (Oct. 12), Butuan (Oct. 19), Cagayan de Oro (Nov. 9), Gen. Santos (Nov. 16) and Davao (Nov. 23).
The event is made possible by Milo, Timex, Bayview Park Hotel, Asics, Lenovo, Manila Bulletin and Gatorade with endorsements from the Department of Education, Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Olympic Committee.