Cebu registered 24,270 runners, the biggest number of runners in MILO Marathon history.

AUGUST 3, 2008 - MILO recorded a major historical feat when 68,845 runners took part in the first-ever, four-city simultaneous races recently held in Manila, Cebu, Davao and Tarlac.

“The four-city simultaneous races is the first in marathon history and making this historical achievement more significant is the fact that we attracted close to 70,000 runners, a figure that greatly exceeds our original target of 60,000 runners.  This just goes to show that marathon fever remains alive and vibrant as ever and this spurs us to make the National MILO Marathon even better and more enjoyable for everyone,” says Nestlé AVP and MILO sports events executive Pat Goc-ong, who oversaw the Cebu leg.

A host of high-profile personalities graced the highly-successful event.  The Manila leg was attended by Mayor Alfredo Lim, Philippine Sports Commission chairman William Ramirez and Nestlé president and CEO Nandu Nandkishore.  In Cebu, Mayor Tomas Osmeña and his wife Margot, as well as Vice Mayor Michael Rama and Cebu Doctors University president Dr. Yong Larrazabal welcomed runners.  In Davao, Philippine Sports Commission executive assistant Joseph Encabo and Department of Tourism regional director XI Sonia Garcia joined the festivities while Tarlac Mayor Genaro Mendoza attended the Tarlac leg.     

Team MILO was also out in full force, led by Nestlé SVP and business executive manager for beverages Dennis Austriaco, MILO consumer marketing manager Steff Toh, communications director Sandra Puno, marketing, promotions and events cluster head for beverages Carlos Vergara in Manila; Nestlé regional sales manager for East Visayas Rica Esteban in Cebu, MILO sports executive Andrew Neri, Nestlé South Mindanao regional sales manager Jojo Torente in Davao and Nestlé Central Luzon regional sales manager Isabel Seseng-Vistan and MILO with cereals consumer marketing manager Karl Villuga in Tarlac.  MILO specialists Leslie Chiong, Anne Tupag, Christian Arsenal, Bles Villareal and Brian Belen also provided support.

It didn’t matter if it was raining incessantly in Manila, which featured an astounding 20,558 running enthusiasts.  Mother Nature was no match for the marathon mania that gripped everyone as students, young children, hardcore runners and corporate CEO’s gamely ran and finished their races.

Not to be outdone was Cebu, a city which consistently shines in attracting the most number of runners.  A sea of green shirts blanketed Osmeña Street in Cebu as no less than 24,270 individuals accepted the challenge to run and be part of history.  Several minutes have already passed since the starting gun was fired and yet, a seemingly endless stream of runners was still running past the starting line with each participant reveling in the joyful marathon atmosphere.   

Further south in Davao, a total of 12,016 runners made their way to Rizal Park and bask in marathon history as the event saw the first time that Davao attracted 12,000 runners.  A sizeable crowd gathered at Rizal Park to witness the event and excitement was palpable with hardcore runners eager to test their skill and earn a spot in the National Finals while friends and families were simply happy to be with one another and experience marathon history in the making.  Finally, 12,001 participants registered in Tarlac. The Benigno Aquino Plazuela was the starting point of the race as hundreds of people excitedly watched history unfold.  The event also showed the enthusiasm of the people of Tarlac when it comes to living a healthy lifestyle.

Of course, the National MILO Marathon would not be complete without the cheerdance competition, which made the event even more exciting and fun for participants and spectators alike.  The cheerdancing competition attracted numerous participants, which made the event festive thanks to the vivacious cheerdancers who thrilled onlookers with their catchy moves and heart-stopping stunts.  The inter-school running team competition and the biggest school delegation likewise made the event more thrilling than before. 

This historical achievement could serve as the stimulus for more grand accomplishments.  For 2008, MILO looks poised to achieve another historical feat as 200,000 runners are expected to take part in the 32nd National MILO Marathon, more than the 186,000 recorded in 2006. 

If you have your own marathon tale to tell, log on to www.milo.com.ph.  And if you want to feel the unique marathon experience, you can catch the remaining National MILO Marathon races scheduled in Naga (August 17), San Pablo (August 24), Tacloban (August 31), Tagbilaran (September 7), San Fernando (September 14), Laoag (September 21), Santiago (September 28), Baguio (October 5), Dipolog (October 12), Iligan (October 19), Butuan (October 26) and Cagayan de Oro (November 9).  The National Finals will be held in Manila on November 30.

The 32nd National MILO Marathon is held in partnership with Bayview Park Hotel Manila, Adidas and the Department of Tourism.