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.”
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 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 Asics.
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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