Milo run sprints

THE National MILO Marathon, the most prestigious running event in the country, kicks off another exciting marathon season with the first of 18 leg races set in Puerto Princesa on June 30. Marking its 37th season this year, the sporting event has a rich history that features a continuous expansion of its scope to nationwide races, and a growing attraction among hundreds of thousands of participants from all over the country.

To provide an opportunity for Filipino runners to compete in international races, the 37th National MILO Marathon will be sponsoring this year’s MILO Marathon King and Queen for the 2014 Paris Marathon next April.

“This year, we have the honor and privilege of sending our very own elite runners to an esteemed international race event. Through this effort, we hope to inspire more Filipino athletes to push their limits and to embody the resilience, strength and athletic excellence our countrymen are known for,” said Andrew Neri, MILO Sports Executive, Nestle Philippines.

Last year, MILO Marathon King Eduardo Buenavista and MILO Marathon Queen Mary Grace de los Santos won the men’s and women’s local 42K events, respectively. Both runners will be defending their crown in the 37th MILO Marathon National Finals in December.

Having grown into a globally-renowned running event, the National MILO Marathon plays host to a notable number of foreign runners from Kenya, Ethiopia, Germany and other countries from across the globe. To support homegrown talent, while also giving foreign runners a venue to compete in the race, the 37th National MILO Marathon will continue to have Open and Local categories for the 21K and 42.195K races in the Manila eliminations leg and the National Finals.

HELP GIVE SHOES

Through the National MILO Marathon, runners help support MILO’s Help Give Shoes advocacy, which aims to inspire public school children to get into sports and to pursue their dreams. A portion of each runner’s registration fee goes directly to the fund, which MILO then matches to purchase the shoes. Since its conception in 2010, Help Give Shoes has delivered 24,200 pairs of shoes to children across the country. This season, MILO aims to reach the 34,200 mark by donating 10,000 more pairs of shoes to 10,000 beneficiaries.

MILO has made registration for all running events available through the official MILO website. Interested participants may process their registration form and payment online, and avail of direct-to-home delivery of race kits. Runners may register and purchase their race kits through www.milo.com.ph.

The 37th National MILO Marathon National Finals will be in December 8 at the SM Mall of Asia grounds. /PR