MILO Marathon Welcomes 39th Season

This 2015 marks the 39th season of Milo Marathon, the longest and oldest organized running event in the Philippines. It is also my 2nd time to participate to this most coveted running event this year. Just this afternoon, my race kit finally arrived with a race bib that has my name on it! Now, this is one special marathon in deed! 

Last July 18, 2015, key personalities from Nestle Philippines officially launched the 39th Season of Milo Marathon which was attended by members of the media and TV networks. The launched was held at function room of Bay View Hotel, Roxas Boulivard. One of the highlights of the program was the recognition of Mr. Rafael Poliquit and Ms. Mary Joy Tabal, Podium winner (Silver medalist) in the 42k race of the recently concluded 28th South East Asian Games that was held in Singapore.  

Their recognition was further extended because they’re the reigning King and queen of last year’s Milo Marathon. The time to beat for this year’s race is 2 hours and 18 minutes as the Men’s course record that is currently being held by Mr. Edwardo “Bertek” Buenavista, and 2 hours 48 minutes for the women’s course record where Tabal holds the back-to-back record holder. So, whoever bags the first position for this year’s final race, will be given a chance to compete at the mecca of all Marathons, the Boston Marathon 2016. 

At the launched, executives of Milo and Mr. Rio Dela Cruz, President of RunRio announced some new developments for this year’s marathon. Organizers added up new race locations that will give runners from other regions a fresh and different kind of running experience. These are Balanga, Bataan and Calapan, Mindoro. And for the Finals which will be happening on December 6, 2015, which normally being held here in Metro Manila, will be moved to Clark Filed, Angeles, Pampanga. 

Another development is the “beefed-up” cash prizes for the podium finishers. This year, winners of the local category may also have a chance to bag additional cash prizes if he or she can win in the open category. This new development will certainly give our elite runners a big boost of motivation to further extend their running prowess to win the race.

For this season, organizers are expected a much bigger crowd, around 230,000 runners because of the additional new course locations and the prizes that awaits the aspiring winners. Furthermore, Milo will continue its CSR tradition –Help Give Shoes Advocacy by donating 50,000 pairs of shoes to under privileged children in poor communities in the country and it will be in partnership with the Department of Education. P10 of every registration fee will go to the poo-fund of this project.

Registrations for the 39th Milo Marathon is still on going in various designated registrations centers. As an additional requirement which is being applied every year is the 300gm Milo empty pack upon registration. For those who will run the 21k and 42k distances, organizers are requiring a Fit-to-Run Medical Certificate. Race Fees are as follows: 42.195km – P730, 21km half Marathon – P630, 10km Run – P530, 5km Fun Run (Adult) – P110, 3km and 5km Fun Run (student) – P80.