Lipa, Philippines, 09 August 2015 – Pinangunahan ni MILO Marathon veterans Erinio Raquin at Cellie Rose Jaro ang 21K centerpiece event ng National MILO Marathon sa Lipa race ngayong Lingo. Umabot sa 7,000 ang nakilahok at nagsaya sa magandang panahon na ipinagkaloob ng haring araw na ginanap sa lalawigan ng Batangas.
Raquin and Jaro have both secured their slots in the National Finals and each took home the top prize of P10,000 in cash and a trophy. Both will go head-to-head with the country’s best runners at the National Finals in Angeles on December 6, where the MILO Marathon King and Queen titles are up for grabs. This year’s King and Queen will be sent by MILO to the USA on all-expense paid trips, for a chance to run in the prestigious 2016 Boston Marathon.
Nakapagtala si Raquin ng 01:15:13 oras, na nanguna sa kanyang katungali na si Archie Patubo sa oras na (01:18:16) at Rolando Anonuevo (01:22:33) na kung saan sila ang nag-second at third place.
Ang 30 anyos na si Raquin na tubong Oriental Mindoro ay hindi na halos bago ang pagkapanalo sa MILO Marathon, nanalo na rin ito ng second place sa ginanap na 2013 MILO Marathon sa Manila leg, at nakapagtala ng third place sa 2013 National Finals.
Ayon kay Raquin, ngayong taon, pinaghandaan niyang mabuti ang 39th MILO Marathon para sa kanyang tagumpay. Sa kanyang paghahada, tumatakbo siya madalas ng mas malayo, nag didrills at workouts, at kanyang minamantini ang pagkain at paginom ng vitamins. “ ang aking mithiin talaga ay manalo dito sa lipa race, partikular sa darating na finals.”
Si Jaro naman ay nakapagtala sa oras na 01:35:47, samantalang si Janeth Lumidao (01:37:16) bilang second place at si Rowena Valdez (01:40:23) bilang third place naman.
Ang 20-year-old na si Cellie Rose ay isa sa limang anak ng pamilya Jaro, na sa ngayon ay sophomore at varsity member ng University of the East. Napatunayan ni Jaro na kayang pagsabayin ang pagaaral maging ang kanyang carier sa pagtakbo, sa pamamagitan umano ng determinasyon at time management. “ Tumatakbo ako ng mas malayo sa umaga at sa hapon pag-aaral naman ang aking inaatupag. kailangan ko talagang tutukan ng maayos ang oras.” “ hindI rin ako masyadong nakapag ensayo sa labang ito dahil sa hapon meron akong klase. Pero sa darating na finals, mag eensayo ako at tatakbo ng mas malayo para lalo pang maging masigla at maging handa sa darating na national finals sa Desyembre 6, 2015.”
The National MILO Marathon is not only a breeding ground for local talents but also a program that empowers children nationwide. With the support of the Department of Education and the National MILO Marathon runners, MILO’s Help Gives Shoes advocacy will provide 10,000 underprivileged youth with brand new running shoes this year. MILO is working with DepEd in the selection of deserving public school student beneficiaries.
The race will resume in Naga (August 16), before heading to Lucena (August 30), Iloilo (September 20), Bacolod (September 27), Tagbilaran (October 4), Cebu (October 11), General Santos (October 18), Davao (November 8), Butuan (November 15), and Cagayan De Oro (November 22). The National Finals will be held on December 6 in Angeles, Pampanga.
The 39th National MILO Marathon is made possible by Timex, the Bayview Park Hotel Manila, ASICS and Smart, along with endorsements from the Department of Education, Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Olympic Committee.
For more information on MILO Philippines, log on to the official website (http://www.milo.com.ph) or the MILO Philippines Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/milo.ph). Follow MILO on Twitter (@MiloPH) and Instagram (@MiloPhilippines).
