More fun in the 36th MILO Marathon

Expect more casual and elite runners will be participating and joining the 36th edition of the Milo this year.


During the media launching on Thursday at the Bayview Hotel in Manila, organizers said that there will be additional venues this year, including Baguio where the highly-expected running series will start on July 1. The other new venues are Lipa and Angeles.


After Baguio, the running spectacle will move to Dagupan (July 8), Tarlac (July 15), Angeles (July 22), Naga (August

19), San Pablo (September 2), Lipa (September 16), Puerto Princesa (September 23), Tagbilaran (September 30), Cebu (October 7), Bacolod (October 4), Ilo-Iloilo (October 28), General Santos (November 4), Davao (November 11), Butuan (November 18) and Cagayan de Oro (November 25).


This year, Milo will be playing tribute to all the runner who have supported the annual series of races thus the theme "Iba’t ibang hinahabol, iisang takbukan".


Organizers said in their press statement that  the them is a ' celebration of the various aspirations of runners who participate in the race. Some run for prize and honor, while others run for fun and fitness."

“Through the MILO Marathon, we are able to provide shoes to underprivileged children to help them become champions in sports and in life,” said Andrew Neri, MILO Sports Executive. “The  noblest motivation for running the MILO Marathon will be to continue the work of providing running shoes to public schoolchildren. Now on its 3rd year, the MILO ‘Help give shoes’ advocacy encourages runners of all ages to register in the 36th National MILO Marathon and make the pledge to give shoes to deserving kids nationwide.”


To date, MILO has given shoes to 14,200 children all over the Philippines through the advocacy. This year, another 10,000 children will be given a pair of running shoes in the hopes of helping them reach for their dreams. For every runner that joins, ten pesos from the registration fee will go to the advocacy. MILO then matches the proceeds, and in cooperation with the Department of Education, selects 100 students that show promise in academics and sports in 100 public schools all over the country as beneficiaries.


Continuing its legacy as the pioneering annual marathon in the country, the current certification as a member of the Association of International Marathons (AIMS) further elevated the world-class standards of the MILO Marathon. The 36th National MILO Marathon uses global standard of measurement for all its race categories and is now recognized in the world map of marathon destinations, attracting runners from all over the world.


To support homegrown talent, while also giving a venue for foreign runners to compete, the 36th National MILO Marathon will now have Open and Local categories for the full marathon and 21-K races in the Manila Eliminations and National Finals. Both foreign and local participants can compete and win in the Open category. 

However, in case a local participant finishes in the top 3 of the Open category, the runner waives the right to win the prize in the Local category. Foreigners are eligible to win only in the Manila races. 


To qualify for the National Finals, foreign runners must provide proof of finish in any AIMS accredited races dating back at least one (1) year before race day or they may qualify in the 42.195-K Manila elimination race. They must have a finish time within the specified age-bracket and time identified for 21-K and 42.195-K races.


The National MILO Marathon continues to give away the biggest cash prize for marathon winners with over 8 million in prizes and 300,000 peso grand prize for the MILO Marathon King and Queen.


Last year’s 42K marathon champions, Mary Grace delos Santos and James Tallam, will be defending their titles and aiming to break their best time of 2:53:07 for the female division and 2:28:02 for the males.


SM MOA will again be the venue for the Manila eliminations slated on July 29, and the National finals on December 9.


Registration is also made more accessible through the National MILO Marathon website which enables runners to process their registration form and payment online and avail of direct-to-home delivery of race kits. This year, registration fees for 5K and 3K race categories has been set at P50 for students, making it more affordable to young student runners. Register and pay through www.nestle.com.ph/milo/marathon.


The 36th National MILO Marathon is made possible by Timex, the Bayview Park Hotel Manila 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.