In true festive fashion, the city of Urdaneta showed its overwhelming enthusiasm in the first race of the 41st National MILO Marathon. Around 12,000 runners hit the streets to race the finish line. Running veterans Julius Sermona and Christabel Martes took the spotlight and placed first in the 21K male and female categories, respectively. They each took home the top purse of P10,000 in cash and a trophy, and booked their slots to the National Finals in Cebu on December 3 to try and claim the MILO Marathon King and Queen titles.In the male category, Julius Sermona clocked in with the time of 1:15:31, followed by Hernani Sore in the second place (1:17:21), and Romulo Ballnas Jr. in the third place (1:20:45). In the female category, Christabel Martes posted a time of 1:23:45, while Rowena Valdez finished second place (1:47:12), and Quipsie Isabel Milagros in third (1:54:10).
Sermona believes that joining marathons not only stimulates one athlete’s passion for running, it also provides physical fitness. “Running, for me, is all about health,” he said. “Physical fitness is integral to a runner’s development, especially to the kids and I am very proud to be a part of a community that promotes these values.”
In the distaff side, former SEA Games athlete Martes easily raced her way to the finish line. Augmented by the spacious roads and smooth terrain, the Baguio native revealed that the features enabled her to comfortably outpace her closest competitors, “I just stayed at my own pace,” she said. “I am very pleased with the route and it helped me stayed in the lead from start to finish.”
With a new feather on her cap, Martes shared that humility remains to be her most important value. “Whenever I win, I always remind myself to be humble,” she said. “I am happy and thankful to be called as an inspiration to many, and I hope that I continue to do so while keeping my feet on the ground.”
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 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.
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).
