Elite runner Judelyn Miranda reasserted her claim over the 21-K tracks Sunday at the 37th National MILO Marathon in Butuan City. This is Miranda’s fifth consecutive win in the regional leg, after placing fourth in last year’s National Finals local category race. Jobert Carolino also shifted into full gear and dominated his closest pursuers in the men’s division run. Both Miranda and Carolino earned themselves a coveted spot in the finale and the Php 10,000.00 top purse
Of the 10,060 runners who joined today’s race, 13 other qualifiers will join Miranda, Carolino and earlier qualifiers in December, where they will compete for the title of MILO Marathon King and Queen and for a trip to the Paris Marathon in 2014 courtesy of MILO
38-year old Miranda, who was at the head of the competing pack since gun start, finished at an impressive 1:30:04 to route Lalaine Patricio (1:47:02) and Gina Factura (1:59:23) to second and third place, respectively. Earlier this year, the seasoned marathoner won the 41.9 kilometer Mulatto Off Road Duathlon and 15-K event of the 2013 Hunat Dabaw Run
Tagum City native Carolino led the last stretch and crossed the finish line at a swift 1:13:50 to outpace distance contenders Jerald Zaballa (1:14:08) and Glendon Candinao (1:15:29). Carolino’s victory in this year’s Butuan leg grants him a fourth ticket to a MILO Marathon National Finals.
“The turnout at Butuan City truly exemplifies the growing appreciation for the sport of running. As such, we expect the next few regional legs to post the same amount intensity not only in numbers but also in performance en route to the finals,” said MILO Sports Executive Andrew Neri. “With the outstanding display of true athleticism and willpower in preceding competitions, we can expect another action-packed culmination in December. Our team is taking preparations to the next level to deliver an exceptional event that will cap the season.”
MILO continues to promote global race standards in terms of security and safety that contribute to the overall success of the each running event. With the invaluable support of Butuan's local government headed by Hon. Mayor Ferdinand Amante, Jr., M.D., about 190 police and military personnel were deployed to impose precautionary measures across the race vicinity and ensure the safety of the runners and spectators alike.
With the support of the Department of Education and the National MILO Marathon runners, MILO has given a total of 30,200 shoes to public school students nationwide through MILO’s Help Give Shoes advocacy. Through this ongoing commitment to develop sports in the country, MILO delivered 500 pairs of running shoes to beneficiary schools in Butuan City, namely Maguinda National High School, Banza National High School, Hawilian National High School, Agusan National High School, and Taligaman National High School
