Wet weather fails to stop Panique, Cadosale

More than 10,000 runners participated in the Bacolod
Leg of the 2012 MILO Marathon

Bacolod City (October 14, 2012) – Eric Panique and Stephanie Cadosale dominated the 21k races despite unfavorable weather conditions at the Bacolod qualifying leg of the 36th MILO Marathon Sunday, organizers said in a press statement released on Monday.

Both Panique and Cadosale displayed determination and stamina to earn spots in the National Finals.

Panique stopped the clock meters ahead of Maclin Sadia and Rommel Hulleza, who finished in second and in third place, respectively.

Cadosale (left) and Panique show
their trophies after the ceremonial
ceremonies.

Expressing excitement over the upcoming National Finals, Panique revealed his intent to top his current best of 2:27 in the full marathon category.

"I believe it's time for me to break my career record again. I am looking to match or even surpass the pace of other veteran runners in the National Finals,”  said the 26 year-old Ilonggo, whose victory in the Great Lapu-lapu Run in 2010 served as his ticket to the 2011 Standard Chartered Hong Kong Race, where he achieved his fastest time but finished in 16th place.

“The race requires more than just adequate training and mental preparedness. It requires motivation. This is why athletes need to be reminded why and for whom they are running. In my case, I run for family and for good health. This is inspiration enough to keep me going."

Completing the top 3 cast in the distaff side behind Cadosale are Mereeis Ramirez of MDRC-Dumaguete and Iresh Belleza. Eighteen year-old Cadosale will be running her first 42-k track in December with other women's division elite runners.

"I may enter the National Finals full marathon as a newcomer, but I am definitely up for the task. To be able to run alongside the women I admire the most in the sport is both an honor and a privilege I look forward to," said the Escalante City, Negros Occidental native.

 “I have been running since I was in sixth grade. Fortunately, my passion for running has been able to contribute greatly to my education. I am now pursuing a college degree that would allow me to do what I love the most –  to share my passion for running and fitness with aspiring young athletes like myself.”

In the special school awards category, CHMSC Fortune Towne bagged the Biggest Delegation award with a total of 516 participants. Meanwhile, CHMSC-ALIJIS wrapped the Fastest Delegation award.

Joining Panique and Cadosale in the National Finals are last week’s Cebu City winners Junel Languido, who posted one of the best records in the 21-K eliminations race, and veteran runner Mary Joy Tabal. They will join other regional winners in an effort to give two-time MILO Marathon King and event record holder Eduardo Buenavista a tougher opposition in the Grand Finale.

After the Bacolod leg, the qualifying race will shift to Iloilo City for the last Visayas swing on October 28. The Mindanao leg will commence in General Santos on November 4, Davao City on November 11, Butuan City on November 18 and Cagayan de Oro City on November 25. The 36th MILO Marathon National Finals will be on December 9 at the SM Mall of Asia Grounds in Pasay City.

MILO continues to build a brighter future for the Filipino youth through its advocacy program, ‘Help Give Shoes’, which has reached 20, 200 underprivileged school children nationwide.

Five schools in Bacolod City, namely Montevista Elementary School, Ramon Medel Elementary School, Luis Hervias National High School, Bacolod City High School, and Negros Occidental National High School, are among the campaign’s beneficiaries.

MILO aims to build foundations to strengthen the Filipino sports community and instill core values in athletes, sports enthusiasts, and spectators alike, which will allow them to succeed in all their endeavors.

“As we draw closer to the finale of this year’s series of quality races, we want to impart with our fellow Filipinos’ our goal of creating a better future not only through sports but also through our Help Give Shoes program,” said Andrew Neri, MILO Sports Executive.

The 36th MILO Marathon is made possible by Timex, the Bayview Park Hotel Manila, SM Mall of Asia and Reebok, along with partnerships with the Department of Education and the Philippine Olympic Committee. For more information on the race and its advocacy, visit the MILO marathon website or access the MILO Philippines fanpage on Facebook. Follow MILO on Twitter (@MILOPH).