2019 National Milo Marathon Cebu Leg Kicks Off with 24,000 Runners this Sunday

Photos by: Iste Sesante Leopoldo

MORE than 24,000 runners are expected to race in the upcoming 43rd National Milo Marathon Cebu leg set this coming   September 29, 2019.

The race, which surpasses last year’s 20,000 participants, will start at 4:00 o’clock in the morning at the Cebu Normal University and the finish line will be at the Cebu City Sports Complex.

During the press conference held at the Cebu Grand Hotel last September 27, Mr. Lester Castillo, Nestle Sports Executive Philippines, announced that with the Philippines hosting the 30th Southeast Asian Games (SEAG), this year’s marathon series will focus on the theme “One Team. One Nation. Go Philippines!” in support with all the Pinoy athletes participating in the biennial meet slated November 30 to December 11, 2019.

Castillo added that Mary Joy Tabal, Cebu Queen of Milo Marathon, will represent the Philippines in the SEA Games.

According to Cebu leg organizer Ricky Ballesteros, for this year’s marathon, they were supposed to limit the participants to 15,000. However, due to the insisting public demand, they accepted registration until supplies last.

Ballesteros added that 85 percent of the 24,000 participants are students coming from different universities in Cebu.

The marathon is divided into categories: 3KM, 5KM, 10KM, and 21KM. The routes of each category are detailed below:

3KM: Starting in CNU, then U-Turn in corner of M.P. Yap St. along Osmena Blvd., then ends in Cebu City Sports Complex;

5KM: Starting in CNU, then U-Turn in front of Petron along N. Escario St., then going back in Cebu City Sports Complex;

10KM: Starting in CNU, then a 10-meter U-Turn at Metro Bank along Salinas Drive, then going back to Cebu City Sports Complex through Pantaleon Del Rosario St.;

21KM: Starting in CNU, going through Gorordo Ave, Salinas Drive, Pope John Paul Ave, and Sergio Osmena Jr. Blvd, then U-Turn at the gate of Fort San Pedro, then going back to Cebu City Sports Complex through P. Del Rosario

Ballesteros also said that the routes in the marathon have stations for hydration, utility, comfort room, and medical assistance. Volunteers from different organizations are helping with the event. 

The 2019 National MILO Marathon is made possible by Philam Life, Garmin, Salonpas, Conrad Hotel, bXTRA (the Official Cashback Partner), Department of Education, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, and PATAFA.