Magsama-sama, tumakbo, matuto: values-driven footrace set in motion
Manila, Philippines, 13 July 2017 – The National MILO Marathon, the country’s most accessible national race, today announced the official opening of its 41st season. The first of the 16 races is set to kick-off in Urdaneta City, Pangasinan on July 16. With new features and race locations added for the fresh cycle ahead, MILO expects to see around 200,000 participants from across the country compete in 3km, 5km, 10km, 21km, and 42km distance categories.
The National MILO Marathon has long been energizing and inspiring champions for over 40 years and, as such, has been attracting runners of all kinds, from children, rookies, veterans, friends, and families from all over the country and the world. Centered on the theme “Magsama-sama, Tumakbo, Matuto”, this season is driven by values such as discipline, resilience, and determination, which runners can take with them in their journey in life.
“In the National MILO Marathon, we see people from all walks of life who come to run, to learn, and to live. This year, we shine the spotlight on the runners who are learning along the way and taking these lessons beyond the finish line to shape their lives,” said Robbie De Vera, MILO Philippines Sports Executive.
New roads, new features
Three new areas, Urdaneta, Laoag and Roxas cities, are added in this year’s 16-leg tourney. The additional locations will provide runners with new and exciting challenges, showcasing the great running experience the National MILO Marathon is known for.
“We at MILO make it a mission to engage more Filipinos in adapting active and healthy lifestyles, and that is what the National MILO Marathon is all about. By adding more key cities, we will be able to reach more champions and hopefully inspire them to achieve new heights, be it in sports or in life. We look forward to seeing our champions!” added De Vera.
Following the success of the Iloilo finale last year, the National MILO Marathon will be staging its final race in Cebu City on December 3rd. This is the second time for Visayas to host the much-anticipated culminating event, and the third time to be held outside of Metro Manila. “We are excited to be fielding the National Finals in Cebu, where the sporting landscape is more invigorating than ever,” said Ricky Ballesteros, Organizer of the National MILO Marathon National Finals. “Our team is on its way to prepare for the biggest race of the season, so expect for this year’s finale to be grander and bolder.”
To encourage runners to celebrate their victories, MILO will debut the new Age Group Category in the National Finals. The Age Group Category is an added feature in the 21K and 42K distance races, that lets participants track and compare their performance with other runners in similar age groups. The new feature intends to motivate runners in reaching their personal goals and attract more contenders to the higher categories.
More than a staunch advocate of Philippine sports and Filipino athletes, the National MILO Marathon is also a platform that empowers children nationwide. For the past 7 years, the National MILO Marathon’s Help Give Shoes
advocacy, in partnership with Department of Education, has inspired 70,000 aspiring athletes to fulfill their dreams by donating brand new pairs of running shoes. This year, the Help Give Shoes advocacy will be donating 5,000 pairs to underprivileged school children.
The series will start in Urdaneta on July 16, which expects around 10,000 runners. Following the pilot race, the National MILO Marathon will continue in Laoag (July 23), Metro Manila (July 30), Angeles (August 6), Tarlac (August 13), Naga (August 27), Lucena (September 03), Lipa (September 10), Tagbilaran (September 24), Roxas (October 1), Iloilo (October 8), General Santos (October 15), Davao (October 22), Butuan (November 12), and Cagayan De Oro (November 19). The National Finals in Cebu City will be on December 3.
The 41st National MILO Marathon is endorsed by the Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, Department of Education, the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association, and the International Association of Athletics Federations – Association of International Marathons and Distance Races. The National MILO Marathon is in partnership with Salonpas, and supported by Garmin, Hisense, Manila Bulletin, Maynilad and Walter Mart Supermarket.
For more information on MILO Philippines, log on to the official website (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).
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About MILO
The MILO brand is the world’s leading chocolate malt beverage that can be prepared with hot or cold milk or water. Given its popularity it is a “must have” product for food service operators particularly in Asia, Africa and Oceania.
MILO also promotes participation in sports through its Summer Sports Clinics, MILO-B.E.S.T. Center Training Program, MILO Marathon, and MILO Little Olympics. The leading beverage brand believes that these contribute to the holistic development of Filipino champions in sports and in life. 2014 marks MILO’s 50th year in the country.
About Nestle Philippines
Over a hundred years after it first started operations in the country, Nestle Philippines, Inc. (NPI) today is a robust and stable organization, proud of its role in bringing the best food and beverage throughout the stages of the Filipino consumers’ lives. The Company employs more than 3,200 men and women nationwide, and is now among the country’s Top 10 Corporations.
Driven by its mission to nurture generations of Filipino families, Nestle today produces and markets products under some of the country’s well-known brands such as NESCAFE, NIDO, MILO, NESTEA, MAGGI, BEAR BRAND, NESTLE and PURINA, among others. Its product range has expanded to include coffee, milk, beverages, non-dairy creamer, food, infant nutrition, ice cream and chilled dairy, breakfast cereals, confectionery and pet care.
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