Tabal, Agravante claim crowns in historic 40th National MILO Marathon National Finals

Mary Joy Tabal won her fourth consecutive MILO Marathon Queen crown and Jeson Agravante won his first MILO Marathon King title at the 40th National MILO Marathon National Finals on Sunday, December 4. Over 17,200 runners enjoyed the festive atmosphere, scenic route and very good weather. This was also the biggest race in Iloilo to date, a record fitting to mark the 40th anniversary milestone of the National MILO Marathon.

The champions received PHP 150,000 in cash and a trophy each. Tabal received an additional PHP 250,000 for placing second in the 42K female open category. Both will also be sent by MILO to Canada on all-expense paid trips to represent the Philippines in the 2017 Ottawa Marathon. “By sending them to the Ottawa Marathon, we are also giving them a chance to be able to qualify for the Olympics,” said Andrew Neri, MILO Sports Marketing Manager. “The Ottawa Marathon is a race where elite runners can achieve the qualifying standard for the Olympics. We are very happy to provide this opportunity to our champions.”

MILO Marathon Queen Mary Joy Tabal obtains Olympics slot in Ottawa Marathon

Mary Joy Tabal once again proved that hard work and determination can propel oneself to success. Finally making her dream come true, Tabal secured her slot for the Rio Olympics when she finished the Scotiabank Ottawa Marathon on Sunday, May 29 (May 30, Philippine time). After falling short in her stint at the Boston Marathon last April, the reigning MILO Marathon Queen was able to make an impressive comeback in Ottawa’s prestigious footrace.

Known as the Great White North’s largest and fastest marathon, the Scotiabank Ottawa Marathon is one of two International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) Gold Label races in Canada, attracting a world contingent of about 7,000 runners every year because of its flat and fast race course. 

Tabal clocked in with the time of 2:43:29, beating the 2:45:00 Olympic qualifying time for the women’s marathon. The 26-year-old Cebuana gained a substantial lead against other competitors, and was able to rank 5th in the female age group, 8th in the overall elite female category and 38th in the overall elite male and female category, out of a total of 4,416 elite participants.

MILO Marathon Champs Tabal, Poliquit conquer Boston Marathon

Mary Joy Tabal and Rafael Poliquit Jr. added another feather to their caps as they crossed the finish line of the 120th Boston Marathon on Monday, April 18 (April 19, Philippine time). The all-expense paid trips to the Boston Marathon are part of their prizes for winning the 39th National MILO Marathon in 2015. With pride in their hearts as they represented the Philippines, the reigning MILO Marathon champs took to the Boston roads along with over 32,000 runners from all over the globe in the world’s oldest annual marathon.

The Boston Marathon is known for its notoriously difficult race route and very high qualification standards. Adding to the hurdles that the champs needed to overcome were the very strong winds and hot weather conditions on race day. Despite not being able to hit their target times, both Tabal and Poliquit, just by finishing the historic Boston Marathon alone, have achieved a massive feat in the sport of road racing.

Champions To Move Forward As MILO Marathon Welcomes 39th Season

The National MILO Marathon, the country’s most prestigious running event, is set to mark its 39th season this year, with the first of 18 regional legs set in Dagupan on June 28. A globally renowned race event, the MILO Marathon continues to attract not only running enthusiasts and professional athletes, but also runners from all walks of life from across the country and internationally. The National MILO Marathon expects 230,000 runners to participate this season. Throughout the years, the esteemed race has not only catered to professional athletes but also welcomed aspiring runners in the 3-K and 5-K distances where young aspiring sprinters have emerged as division winners.

38th National MILO Marathon ends another record-breaking season

Reigning MILO Marathon Queen Mary Joy Tabal revelled in the spotlight as she defended her National MILO Marathon crown at the National Finals of the 38th National MILO Marathon held on December 13 at the SM Mall of Asia grounds. Not to be overlooked, Rafael Poliquit was named the 2014 National MILO Marathon King as he won his first National MILO Marathon championship title in the prestigious footrace. Today’s race saw 19,242 registered runners, bringing the total headcount of the season to 228,000 which shattered last year’s record.

The Filipino Flag Flies High in the 2014 Paris Marathon

Buenavista and Tabal Bring Pinoy Running Mettle to the World Stage

Manila, Philippines – After clinching the top ranks in the 37th season of the National MILO Marathon, veteran athlete Eduardo Buenavista and fastest Filipina marathoner Mary Joy Tabal once again lived up to their lofty billings in the prestigious Paris Marathon. The reigning MILO Marathon King and Queen recently completed the full distance category with 50,000 runners including seasoned marathoners from across the globe.

The National MILO Marathon awarded both athletes with an all-expenses paid trip to the international competition as the first Philippine delegates sponsored by MILO in over two decades.

Buenavista, who ran alongside fellow Olympian and this year’s Paris Marathon winner Kenenisa Bekele of Ethiopia, clocked in at a swift 2:33:20 and ranked 42nd in the men’s division. In the distaff side, Tabal crossed the finish line at 2:57:28 and emerged as the 17th placer in the women’s division.

Tabal named fastest Filipina marathoner in the Philippines

Buenavista claims fifth title at 37th MILO Marathon National Finals

Records were shattered Sunday at the 37th MILO Marathon National Finals, as elite runner Mary Joy Tabal claimed her first MILO Marathon national crown and broke the current women’s event record for 42K set by Jho-An Banayag by 16 seconds. The MILO Marathon also posted its highest season headcount to date at more than 220,000 runners, after registering 26,681 runners at today’s championship race alone.

Not to be outdone, reigning MILO Marathon King Eduardo Buenavista bagged a back-to-back win, his fifth title in the prestigious footrace. Buenavista also holds the current men’s event record for 42K in the national marathon.

For their outstanding victories, Tabal received the P 250,000 prize plus an additional P 20,000 for breaking Banayag’s record, while Buenavista received the top purse of P 150,000 from his Local leg win. Both runners also scored an all-expenses paid trip to the 2014 Paris Marathon as the first Philippine delegates sponsored by MILO in more than two decades.