Winning
is not new for the seven-year veteran MILO marathoner but he always
cherishes each hard-earned victory. “I prepared for only two months,
starting in July, but I couldn’t really focus on training because my job
comes first. I really love my job, and of course I love running, but
work is my priority,” said Warizal.
As
a logistics helper, he helps deliver MILO and other Nestle products to
sari-sari stores. In the past few weeks, Warizal shared that he usually
does overtime at work and had to adjust his training. “When I have time,
I try to run at least five times a week, every morning at 4:30. I
couldn’t run in the afternoons anymore because I’m too tired by then.
I’m very happy that I still placed first despite feeling that my
training isn’t enough. I went all out in this race, even if I started to
feel cramping in my legs, I willed myself to go on,” said Warizal.
For
youngster Dela Rosa, winning also comes almost naturally. She started
running at five years old, joining her father, also a runner, in his
training. “I didn’t know I was training already then. I thought it was
just fun and games. Eventually, my dad entered me in running events with
him and we kept on winning, so I decided to pursue running,” shared
Dela Rosa.
Like
Warizal, preparing for the race was also a challenge for her. As a
varsity member of the University of Santo Tomas’ track and field team,
they focused on middle distance training for the University Athletics
Association of the Philippines (UAAP) track meets. “I took my chances in
joining the MILO marathon this year even if I felt that I didn’t
prepare well for it. The uphill route proved to be very challenging
because it consumes a lot more energy than running on flat surfaces. It
was quite hard to maintain momentum,” Dela Rosa said. “My strategy was
to run at my own pace. It’s okay for others to go ahead of me, as long
as I did my best. I’m glad that my best was enough for me to win this
race, but I need to prepare well for the National Finals.”
With
the support of the Department of Education and the National MILO
Marathon runners, MILO’s Help Gives Shoes advocacy will provide 16,000
underprivileged youth with brand new running shoes and reach the 50,000
mark this year. As MILO celebrates its 50th year, Help Give
Shoes aims to make the donation to students in Yolanda-hit cities,
particularly Tacloban, Ormoc, and Eastern Samar.
Warizal
and Dela Rosa both have high praises for MILO’s Help Give Shoes
Advocacy. “This project is really admirable, because young runners who
have great potential will be encouraged to pursue running. It’s hard to
run barefooted, or wearing slippers. It’s such a great feeling to be
able to help fellow runners,” shared Dela Rosa. Warizal added, “I hope
MILO continues to help the youth realize their dreams. A lot of children
and even adults are being helped by the MILO Marathon and the MILO
Little Olympics. It’s also very good exposure especially for the kids.
They are able to get into sports and avoid vices and bad influences. We
are very grateful to MILO.”
The
qualifying race will resume in Lipa on September 14 and will head to
Iloilo (September 21), Bacolod (September 28), Tagbilaran (October 5),
Cebu (October 12), Butuan (October 19), Cagayan De Oro (November 9),
General Santos (November 16), and Davao (November 23). The National
Finals will be held on December 7 at the SM Mall of Asia grounds in
Pasay City.
The 38th
National MILO Marathon is made possible by Timex, the Bayview Park
Hotel Manila, ASICS, Lenovo, Manila Bulletin and Gatorade, 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).
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