2018 National MILO Maraton: Live on its Values-driven Legacy

Manila, Philippines – Running event has been very popular nowadays not just for sports fans, but also for every family young and not so young whose goal is to get fit and healthy. Whether you go for a run or walk, it's an achievement to reach the finish line that makes us proud and happy.

Last June 8, the leading beverage brand MILO officially launched the 42nd National MILO Marathon — the biggest and longest running footrace with the ongoing theme, "Magsama-sama, Tumakbo, Matuto" that strengthens the leagacy of the National MILO Marathon in upholding a values-driven race experience for runners throughout the season. Its aim is to be more than just a running event as it continues to highlight the character-forming lessons that can be learned from the race. 

(From left to right) Lester Castillo, MILO Sports Executive; Robbie De Vera, Consumer Marketing Manager, Nestle Philippines;Coaches Jim Saret and Toni Saret; Dr. Philip Juico, President-PATAFA, Meg Panopio, consumer Marketing Manager, Nestle Philippines; Joey Uy, Business Executive Officer - Senior Vice President, Nestle Philippines; Solenn Heussaff, MILO Nutri-Up Ambassador; Willy De Ocampo, Business Unit Manager - Vice President, Nestle Philippines; Laurent Boisdron, General Manager, Conrad Hotel; Faivo Bartolome, National Finals Local Race Organizer; and Andrew Neri, RunRio, NMM National Race Organizer

The new season ushers the 11-leg event with the opening race happening in Urdaneta on July 15 and will continue in the following fields:

• Metro Manila - July 29
• Tarlac - August 26
• Batangas - September 16
• Lucena - September 30
• Iloilo - October 7
• Cebu - October 14
• General Santos - October 21
• Butuan - November 11
• Cagayan De Oro - November 18
• Laoag  (National Finals) - December 9 

Reigning MILO Marathon King Joerge Andrade and five-time MILO Marathon Queen Mary Joy Tabal will go head-to-head with their top contenders to defend their titles with the hopes of bagging the top purse of this year's marathon finale. The next MILO Marathon King and Queen will be given an opportunity participate in an international marathon 2019. In partnership with PATAFA, this year's NMM King and Queen will be the runners to beat for aspiring contenders for the 2019 SEA Games. MILO expects 150,000 runners to participate this season. 

"The 42nd MILO Marathon continues to center on the life lessons that runners can learn and take with them beyond the finish line," said Lester P. Castillo, MILO Philippines Sports Executive. "We are committed to delivering an inspiring season as we highlight the values of discipline, resilience and determination to help our runners be molded into true champions."

National Finals in Laoag

The city of Laoag has been selected to host this year's National Finals on December 9. Laoag promises to offer a unique running experience for participants as the National Finals will be part of the city's bicentennial culminating celebration. In addition to the festive race experience, runners can also look forward to marveling at the beauty of Laoag, as the race route goes along several tourist spots of the city, including the Paway and Laoag sand dunes in some of the long distance categories. thse who would like to combine a vacation with their racecan visit nearby landmarks and places of interest in Ilocos region, such as the Cape Bojeador Lighthouse, St. Augustine's Church in Paway, Kapurpurawan rock formation in Burgos, the windmill farms of Bangui, and the white beaches of Pagudpud.

"The provincial government of Ilocos Norte, and the city of Laoag have given their full support for National MILO Marathon so it's all systems go for the preparations of the National Finals," said Faivo Bartolome, RunRio's local race organizer of the Laoag National Finals. "We believe that this will be a new and exciting experience as the finale will highlight Laoag's vibrant culture that runners can appreciate. We look forward to welcoming MILO and all of the participants to celebrate Laoag's significant milestone with us."


New Race Features

MILO has added and refreshed some features for this year's National MILO Marathon for a unique running experience. In addtition to the newly designed, values inspired race singlet and bib in the race kit, race participants will receive:

• 3k and 5k       - MILO sachet
• 10k                 - drawstring bag and MILO Nutri-Up sachet 
• 21k and 42k   -  new finisher's training hoodie 

For years, MILO has played an active role in helping underprivileged Filipino youth reach their dreams by giving them brand new pairs of running shoes through the Hekp Give Shoes advocacy. MILO is beginning to expand its advocacy to reach more schoolchildren  and get theminto sports, and not just running. This year, with the help of the Department of Education, MILO will donate:

• 1,500 pairs of shoes to deserving public schoolchildren across the country
• 2,500 basketballs to deserving public schools nationwide

"In our immersion and research, we found that there is an opportunity for more children to play and get into sports," said Castillo. "We began encouraging children to get active through running, and getting them into sports seems to be the natural progression. We are donating basketballs as it is the most popular sport in the country. this new development in our advocacy is still aligned with our intitiative to encourage more kids to lead an active and healthy lifestyle."

The 42nd National MILO Marathon is endorsed by the Department of Education, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, and sanctioned by the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association. The 42nd National MILO Marathon is organized by RunRio Events Inc., and supported by its official partners: TAG Heuer – the official time keeper of the 42nd National MILO Marathon, Conrad Hotel – the official hotel partner for the Manila Leg of the 42nd National MILO Marathon, Pocari, Salonpas, Sock Society, and Health Delivery Systems Inc.

For more details on MILO Philippines, visit http://www.milo.com.ph or the MILO Philippines Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/milo.ph. Follow MILO on Twitter (@MiloPH) and Instagram (@MiloPhilippines).