Mother of all Milo runs to unravel Sunday

After several months and 13 weekly regional elimination races in key cities of the country, ranging from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, everything is finally set for the 27th national MILO Marathon finals on Sunday in Manila. Held in partnership this year with Cebu Pacific, Bayview Park Hotel, Adidas, Powerbar, and the Department of Tourism, Nestle Phils. has put at stake over P950,000 in cash prizes for this Sunday’s event.

And even as the country’s best long distance runners, including defending MILO Marathon champion Eduardo Buenavista and Geraldine Sealza, and former champions Roy Vence, Allan Ballester and Christabel Martes will be there only for a show of face as they are in the thick of the preparation for the SEA Games in Vietnam, it does not detract a bit from the huge success of the event this year.

" We understand the decision to concentrate on winning the gold medals for flag and country in the SEA Games and we wish the best of luck to Buenavista and company in their respective events. This year’s event then will be the golden opportunity for the lesser lights in Philippine long distance running to shine and show their worth, " said MILO sports executive Pat Goc-ong, the man responsible for the banner year that MILO Marathon is enjoying now.

After all, the primary goal of corporate sponsor Nestle Phils for the event, is to get the youth involved in sports. This has been realized with practically record fields of young runners in all the regional races in Roxas City, Tuguegarao, Tacloban, Lipa, Davao, Metro Manila, Cagayan de Oro, Olongapo, Butuan, Baguio, General Santos, Cebu, and Naga City which drew big crowds of student runners.

Now the focus in the national MILO Marathon finals, starting and ending at the Quirino Grandstand area , shifts to the competitive side and in the absence of Buenavista and the other SEA Games bound runners, Baguio leg champion Crisanto Canillo looms as one of the top seeded entries in the field.

" Ito na ang best chance ko na manalo dito sa MILO marathon, di pa ako nag-champion dito kaya buhos na lahat sa finals, " said Canillo.

The other regional runners who will be crowding out Canillo for top honors include Army man and Tuguegarao champion Rodolfo Tacadino, Metro manila runners-up Noel Bautista and Rowel Canillo, Tarlac bet and champion in the Olongapo leg Mamerto Corpuz, and Cebu champion Bowen Montecillo, a sentimental favorite will be former national champion and dubbed the " Old warrior " Rey Antoque.

In the women’s side of the competition, Sealza’s successor can be anyone among a number of veteran marathoners including Baguio bet Marychiel Minas, come backing Hazel Madamba from the Philippine Navy, Metro Manila champion Lisa Yambao and her sister Luisa —Yambao Raterta, winner in the Naga leg with husband Rene, former champion Lisa Delfin, Enate Sayrol , Cebu leg champion Christy Sevilleno, Roxas City champion Gloria Diaz, and Lipa’s Myra Luz Abueg.

" It is also possible that a complete unknown will take the opportunity and go all out to win the national MILO Marathon finals this year and that would be good for the sport as we need new talents in running, ""this from national MILO Marathon race organizer Rudy Biscocho.

The organizers have also set the stage for a fun-filled family day at the finish line area with lots of fun events and entertainment plus food booths so families can picnic afterwards, " after all, our event is not just for kids and runners, it is for the whole family and for everyone, " added Goc-ong.