Languido returns, takes MILO Marathon CDO crown from Sotto

Languido returns, takes MILO Marathon 
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 37^th 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 37^th 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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