This writer is no seasoned runner, so running one kilometer without stopping to catch my breath is impossible. But those who joined and won in the 29th National MILO Marathon can. Some ran for three, five, 10, and as far as 42 kilometers. And they didn’t just won... they even broke records.
With regional legs held in several key cities around the country, and those who joined in the finals held recently at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila, an overwhelming 110,000 runners participated in the biggest and most prestigious running event.
Moreover, thousands of running enthusiasts participated in the Manila eliminations held earlier this year with prominent personalities like Senator Pia Cayetano and TV personalities Tricia Chiongbian and Rovilson Fernandez joining the races.
Yet, perhaps the most impressive among the runners in this big and prestigious running event in the country are two individuals who are determined to win not just for the top prize, but to prove that they also can do it. They are none other than Chris Cricenciano and Joan Banayag, this year’s MILO Marathon King and Queen, respectively. After conquering the 42-kilometer race in their respective divisions. Both won, and broke last year’s records.
MARATHON CHAMPIONS
Crisenciano, 27, is a native of Sultan Kudarat and belongs to the Philippine Army’s 2nd Infantry Division under General Orbon. He now holds the record for the 42-kilometer run with 2 hours, 21 minutes and 23 seconds - beating the previous record by one second
"My run last year became a strong encouragement because I still lack training and yet I was able to keep up with our star marathoners," tells Crisenciano. "So, I decided to train religiously in order to achieve a good performance for this year. I’m also thankful for the Lord for helping me get first place and break the record at the same time."
On the other hand, 24-year-old Banayag hails from Davao and was discovered by Olympic runner Elma Muros. Inspired to help her parents and siblings, she entered the National MILO Marathon in 2000 and entered the top10.
"I still don’t have plans on making a career out of running because I’ll be entering college this coming year as a scholar in University of the East," she tells Banayag.
YOUTH INVOLVEMENT
Aside from the 42K, 10K, 5K, and 3K races, there was also an inter-school running team competition, a media run, sports writing and photo contests, cheerdance competition, and biggest school delegation contest. Not-so-good runners can opt to join in either one of these contests.
The National MILO Marathon has undoubtedly become a pioneering event in local sports as it continues to play a vital role in introducing and popularizing running among Filipinos. It sparked the running boom locally, which eventually transformed the National MILO Marathon to become a catalyst in discovering and developing the country’s best marathoners.
"We’re very thrilled to bring another successful edition of the National MILO Marathon to a close," says Nestle AVP and Milo brand manager Michelle Calo.
Milo sports executive Pat Goc-ong ends, "The overwhelming support that we continue to receive each year truly shows that we continue to make significant inroads as far as sports development and getting everyone to adopt a healthy lifestyle is concerned."
