Press Release: Sadia, Delos Santos lead Iloilo qualifiers

Manila, Philippines (August 4, 2013) - Not even the rain could dampen the spirits of the 15,192 athletes, students and running enthusiasts who competed in the sixth qualifying race of the 37th National MILO Marathon Sunday in Iloilo City.

Athletes Maclin Sadia and Adjennie Delos Santos dominated the 21K division run and each received a cash prize of P10,000.00 and a trophy.

Both runners are set to lead 34 other qualifiers to the National Finals in December, but only Sadia earned himself an all-expenses paid trip.

As an added incentive to the prestige of winning the country's premier footrace, MILO will be sending this season's MILO Marathon King and Queen to compete with the world's finest athletes at the Paris Marathon in 2014.

Sadia (third from left) and Delos Santos raised their trophies
after winning the Iloilo qualifying races.

20-year old Sadia persevered through heavy rains and clinched victory at a swift 1:14:20, the fastest time posted for the 21K track so far this season, followed by Rowell Hulleza (1:16:21) and Bennie Murillo (1:20:11). Last year, the Cadiz City native placed second behind Manila race winner Panique in the Bacolod leg of the MILO Marathon, and went on to place eighth in the local 42K category of the National Finals.

"Today's race was quite difficult, but I managed to pull through at my best time to date. I've seen a lot of progress since I started running competitively, and my ultimate dream is to become a champion," said Sadia, who has only started taking running more seriously in 2011. "I know I can reach my goal through discipline and training and also through my trust in God, who is the source of my strength."

In the distaff side, 26-year old Delos Santos treaded unfamiliar terrain and crossed the finish line at 1:37:44, way ahead of counterparts Stepanie Cadosale (1:39:21) and Janine Arrey (1:42:46). Delos Santos won the 10K category race of the POCARI Sweat Fun Run II in 2010 and placed ninth in the 42K local category race of the 36th MILO Marathon National Finals.

Delos Santos expressed that she will maximize the four months that she has before the finale by following a strict regimen. "Fitness is both my passion and profession. My job inspires me to practice health and fitness even outside of work," said Delos Santos, who is a fitness instructor in Abu Dhabi.

To inspire working adults to make exercise a part of the work-life balance, MILO also opened a nationwide inter-company running competition for workers and employees. Ledi Supermart was given the Biggest Delegation award earlier today for having the most number of 5K and 10K finishers from its company.

"Race after race we discover outstanding talents that bring an inspiring showcase of athleticism to conquer the tracks. Beyond these performances are stories of Filipino willpower and strength to balance work and life after work," said MILO Sports Executive Andrew Neri. "The National MILO Marathon does not only strive to deliver a challenging athletic experience for Filipino runners, but also aims to inspire them to embody the core values of the race like perseverance, determination and discipline. We at MILO have and will continue to encourage the Filipino workforce, as well as the youth, to reach their highest potential and become champions past the race track. "

As an ongoing commitment to develop sports in the country, MILO's Help Give Shoes advocacy provides pairs of running shoes to various public schools across the country. A total of 500 pairs were delivered to beneficiary schools today in Iloilo, namely Baluarte Central Elementary School, For San Pedro National High School, Jaro National High School, Zarraga National High School and Bolilao Elementary School. With the invaluable support of the Department of Education and the National MILO Marathon runners, MILO has given a total of 27,700 shoes to date.

The qualifying race will resume in Dumaguete on August 11, before advancing to Tagbilaran (September 15), Cebu (September 22), Cagayan de Oro (September 29), Butuan (October 6), Davao (October 13), General Santos (October 20), Baguio (November 3), Dagupan (November 10), Tarlac (November 17) and Angeles (November 24). The 37th MILO Marathon National Finals will then be on December 8 at the SM Mall of Asia grounds.

The 37th National MILO Marathon is made possible by Timex, the Bayview Park Hotel Manila, Reebok, SMART and SM Mall of Asia, along with endorsements from the Department of Education, Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Olympic Committee. For more information on the race and its advocacy, visit the MILO marathon website (milo.com.ph) or access the MILO Philippines fanpage on Facebook. Follow MILO on Twitter (@MILOPH).