Elite runners Maclin Sadia and Stephani Cadosale emerged victorious from their respective categories in the 21K main event at the 38th National MILO Marathon Bacolod Qualifying Race. The competition featured a delegation of 9,266 runners – double that of last year when the race was held in Dumaguete.Runners shrugged off the heat and used the sunny forecast to their advantage. In a tightly competed race, the 21k male category saw 21-year-old Maclin Sadia outlasted his fiercest rivals, posting a time of 01:14:16, narrowly edging Joel Alcorin (01:14:22) and Rowell Hulleza (01:17:16) who finished second and third place, respectively.*
Sadia, hailing from Cadiz City of Negros Occidental, has his humble beginnings as a runner during his elementary school days. Financial problems forced him to stop going to school in 2005 and work as a delivery boy of soft drinks to sari-sari stores to support his ten other siblings. Rekindling his love affair with running, he started training under the tutelage of his father Alino Sadia, a former runner who used to compete in marathons in Bacolod.
In the distaff side, Cadosale displayed a relentless drive from the get go, finishing with an impressive time of 01:33:43, relegating Mereeis Ramierez (01:38:59) to second place, and Iresh Belleza (01:42:42) to third place.*
Her running resume says that she is no stranger to success. With podium finishes in fun runs and school competitions under the State and Colleges Universities Athletics Association (SCUAA), she also prides herself with accolades in past MILO Marathons, winning Gold in Bacolod (2012) and Silver in Iloilo (2013). Though training was scarse due to harsh weather conditions leading to the race, her accummulated experience gave her enough to come out on top. “It was rainy leading up to this event but during my free time, I did some long runs and managed to work on my speed,” shared Cadosale. “My family was very supportive throughout the process and I owe this win to them.”
With the support of the Department of Education and the National MILO Marathon runners, MILO’s Help Gives Shoes advocacy will provide 16,000 underprivileged youth with brand new running shoes and reach the 50,000 mark this year. As MILO celebrates its 50th year, Help Give Shoes aims to make the donation to students in Yolanda-hit cities, particularly Tacloban, Ormoc, and Eastern Samar.
The qualifying race will resume in Tagbilaran on October 5 before heading to Cebu (October 12), Butuan (October 19), Cagayan De Oro (November 9), General Santos (November 16), and Davao (November 23). The National Finals will be held on December 7 at the SM Mall of Asia grounds in Pasay City.
