PUERTO PRINCESA City, Philippines – Four-time winner Norlan Warizal and returning champ Jila Dela Rosa proved their authority in the 21K events at the Puerto Princesa of the 38th National MILO Marathon Qualifying Race on Sunday. From about 7,000 runners who joined the qualifying race, Warizal and Dela Rosa, together with 19 other runners, booked their slots for the National Finals in Manila on December 7 for a chance to claim the MILO Marathon King and Queen crowns. MILO will send this year’s King and Queen to Japan on an all-expense paid trip to the 2015 Tokyo Marathon. Along with the slot in the finals, both Warizal and Dela Rosa received P10,000 in cash and a trophy as their prize.Elite runners braved an exciting route filled with uphill challenges. Warizal, a 29-year-old native of Sta. Maria, Puerto Princesa, emerged victorious for the 21K men’s category with a time of 01:19:13, beating rivals Ben Alejandrino (01:21:26) and Nicko Cortes (01:22:42). On the distaff side, 20-year-old Dela Rosa, also a local of Puerto Princesa, convincingly reclaimed her crown in the race, finishing at an impressive 01:39:24 Bernardita Mag-aso 01:47:56 Michelle Anne Tibagacay 01:51:37
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.
Warizal and Dela Rosa both have high praises for MILO’s Help Give Shoes Advocacy. “This project is really admirable, because young runners who have great potential will be encouraged to pursue running. It’s hard to run barefooted, or wearing slippers. It’s such a great feeling to be able to help fellow runners,” shared Dela Rosa. Warizal added, “I hope MILO continues to help the youth realize their dreams. A lot of children and even adults are being helped by the MILO Marathon and the MILO Little Olympics. It’s also very good exposure especially for the kids. They are able to get into sports and avoid vices and bad influences. We are very grateful to MILO.”
