Languido
returns, takes MILO Marathon
CDO crown from Sotto
CDO crown from Sotto
36 runners qualify for season finale in
December
Despite the heavy downpour mid-race,
veteran runner Juneil Languido persevered and dethroned last year’s local 21K top
placer Jeffrey Sotto Sunday at the 37th National MILO Marathon Cagayan
de Oro qualifying race. Local bet Cresabel Cadion, who placed first in 2011, also
forged a victory against her closest pursuers and managed to take back the CDO
crown that was once hers. A total of 11,785 runners, including Region X
Governor Bambi Emano who ran 5K, graced the tenth qualifying leg of the
prestigious nationwide race, marking not only a higher headcount in the
regional competition but also the continued support of the local government.
Languido and Cadion each received the
Php 10,000 top purse for their respective victories, and are set to lead 34
other 21K qualifiers to the finale in December. This is Languido’s fourth trip
to the MILO Marathon National Finals, following a seventh place finish in
the finale last year. As an added
incentive to this year’s winnings, MILO will be sending this season’s MILO
Marathon King and Queen to the 2014 Paris Marathon to compete with the world’s
finest athletes.
29-year old Languido, who posted the
fastest qualifying time of last season in Cebu, clocked in at an equally
impressive 1:12:39, beating fellow Bukidnon native Ramil Neri (1:14:55) and
former CDO champion Jeffrey Sotto (1:15:30). Languido was expected to compete
in the earlier Cebu qualifiers, and surprised both spectators and runners alike
when he showed up at the starting line of today’s race.
In the distaff side, Cadion, who
placed third in last year’s local leg, redeemed herself at the finish line and
posted a swift 1:31:22, way ahead of Davao runner Vivian Avergonzado (1:39:35)
and Lezette Albarote (1:43:45). The 20-year old student from Pagdian City was
also the second runner-up of the 42K Prycegas International Marathon in 2012.
“Today’s run was fine, as I was able
to maintain my pace throughout the race. My training focuses a lot on
endurance, particularly on distance running and strength training,” said Cadion,
who has joined the MILO Marathon since she was 15. “Running helps provide
financial support for my studies, so I’m determined to perform well and
hopefully place in the National Finals.”
Wrapping up the day’s special awards
are members of Misamis Oriental General Comprehensive High School (MOGHS), who,
with 1705 finishers and an average time of 19:02, took home both the Biggest
Delegation and Fastest Delegation plums.
As an ongoing commitment to inspire
more Filipinos especially the youth to overcome all of life’s obstacles and
engage in a wholesome sport like running, MILO provides pairs of running shoes
to underprivileged students nationwide through MILO’s Help Give Shoes advocacy.
With the invaluable support of MILO Marathon runners and partners, a total of
500 pairs were delivered to beneficiary schools today in Cagayan de Oro,
bringing the total shoe count to 29,700. Consolacion Elementary School, Bulua
National High School, Puerto National High School, Macabalan Elementary School
and Kauswagan Central School were among the advocacy’s beneficiaries.
Race organizers expressed elation at
the determination and courage displayed by the runners at the first Mindanao
race of the season. “The best stories in the MILO Marathon are rooted in the
most remarkable Filipino values. Through the years, we have taught our runners
that victory is not the purpose of each race, but building the passion to
finish it, so that if they ever have to face defeat, they can only be motivated
to run again,” said Andrew Neri, MILO Sports Executive. “That’s why we continue
to grow in numbers each year. We believe that our runners will continue to
begin and finish each challenge with the heart and attitude of true athletes.”
The
qualifying race will commence in Butuan on October
6, before advancing to 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 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 or
access the MILO Philippines fanpage on Facebook. Follow MILO on Twitter
(@MILOPH).
**Press release from Milo Philippines
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**Press release from Milo Philippines
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