Press Release: Miranda wins fifth MILO qualifying title

BUTUAN, Philippines (October 6, 2013) – Elite runner Judelyn Miranda reasserted her claim over the 21-K tracks Sunday at the 37th National MILO Marathon in Butuan City.

This was Miranda’s fifth consecutive win in the regional leg, after placing fourth in last year’s National Finals local category race.

Jobert Carolino also shifted into full gear and dominated his closest pursuers in the men’s division run. Both Miranda and Carolino earned themselves a coveted spot in the finale and the Php 10,000.00 top purse.

Of the 10,060 runners who joined today’s race, 13 other qualifiers will join Miranda, Carolino and earlier qualifiers in December, where they will compete for the title of MILO Marathon King and Queen and for a trip to the Paris Marathon in 2014 courtesy of MILO.

Judelyn Miranda (left) and
Joebert Carolino poses with
 their trophies.

38-year old Miranda, who was at the head of the competing pack since gun start, finished at an impressive 1:30:04 to route Lalaine Patricio (1:47:02) and Gina Factura (1:59:23) to second and third place, respectively. Earlier this year, the seasoned marathoner won the 41.9 kilometer Mulatto Off Road Duathlon and 15-K event of the 2013 Hunat Dabaw Run.

Miranda, who previously copped five qualifying spots in the MILO Marathon National Finals, expressed that she will continue the strong bid for a finale title. “I have been running MILO races since grade school and even after almost 20 years, I am still motivated by the same amount of passion for the sport. I achieved my fastest time in the 42-K distance of last year’s finals and I am scheduled to resume training to beat this personal record in the upcoming competition,” said Miranda.

Tagum City native Carolino led the last stretch and crossed the finish line at a swift 1:13:50 to outpace distance contenders Jerald Zaballa (1:14:08) and Glendon Candinao (1:15:29). Carolino’s victory in this year’s Butuan leg grants him a fourth ticket to a MILO Marathon National Finals.

“The pressure to take home the title eliminates the opportunity to enjoy my passion for running that is why I try not to focus on only winning in every marathon I join.  I intend to carry this perspective into the final race in December while setting the pace on track,” said 27-year old Carolino.

A distinguished athlete, Carolino recently bagged honors in the Columbia Eco Trail Run and ABS-CBN’s Kapamilya Run 3. The Philippine team hopeful further remarked that he aims to raise his personal best by building on speed and endurance in time for the national tryouts in May.

“Today’s turnout at Butuan City truly exemplifies the growing appreciation for the sport of running. As such, we expect the next few regional legs to post the same amount intensity not only in numbers but also in performance en route to the finals,” said MILO Sports Executive Andrew Neri. “With the outstanding display of true athleticism and willpower in preceding competitions, we can expect another action-packed culmination in December. Our team is taking preparations to the next level to deliver an exceptional event that will cap the season.”

MILO continues to promote global race standards in terms of security and safety that contribute to the overall success of the each running event. With the invaluable support of Butuan's local government headed by Hon. Mayor Ferdinand Amante, Jr., M.D., about 190 police and military personnel were deployed to impose precautionary measures across the race vicinity and ensure the safety of the runners and spectators alike.

With the support of the Department of Education and the National MILO Marathon runners, MILO has given a total of 30,200 shoes to public school students nationwide through MILO’s Help Give Shoes advocacy. Through this ongoing commitment to develop sports in the country, MILO delivered 500 pairs of running shoes to beneficiary schools today in Butuan City, namely Maguinda National High School, Banza National High School, Hawilian National High School, Agusan National High School, and Taligaman National High School.

The qualifying race will resume in Davao on October 13, before advancing to 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).