AT LEAST 15,000 runners are expected to join the 42nd National Milo Marathon to be held in Urdaneta City, Pangasinan on July 15.
Tes Bernardino, Milo Sports organizer, during the media launch on Tuesday, July 3, said this is the second time Urdaneta City will be hosting the national marathon.
“The kick-off leg will be held here and we wanted to surpass the 12,000 participants who joined last year,” Bernardino said.
Participants will be coming from Ilocos Region, Cordillera, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon and National Capital Region, she said.
The marathon categories are three kilometers (3K), five kilometers (5K), 10 kilometers (10K) and 21 kilometers (21K).
Bernardino said that 3K and 5K categories are open to everybody, while the 10K and 21K are for elite runners, who are aiming for higher category of running.
“We are closing the slots in 21K on Monday next week (July 9). As of today there are already 200 elite runners who will be joining, but the other categories are still open,” Bernardino said.
She added that more participants are expected to join the 3K and 5K running events.
The Department of Education targets at least 7,000 students to participate, considering that the registration fee is only P110 (with free singlet and 22 grams Milo product), Bernardino said.
Adult registration fee for 3K and 5K costs P160; P850 for 10K and P950 for 21K, she added.
“The purpose of this activity is to shape the community to good and healthy lifestyle. Before, people were complaining, for they pay and run for the activity, but eventually over the years of conducting this activity, people are now jogging, which is good for their health,” Bernardino said.
She said that they have once again chosen Urdaneta City to be the venue of the event because of its wide roads and a convening area (Urdaneta City Cultural and Sports Center), where the cheer-dance competition will be held simultaneous with the marathon.
City Mayor Amadeo Gregorio Perez IV, who was also present during the media launch, assured the security and safety of runners.
Superintendent Rollyfer Capoquian, chief of the Urdaneta City police station, said they will ask augmentation from the Police Provincial Office in order to provide manpower for the traffic and road security, among other roles the police will play on that day.
“We will maximize deployment of our policemen,” he said.
Bernardino said that a field hospital will also be set up in coordination with the City Health Office and Red Cross.
Likewise, the city will provide three ambulances and water stations in every two kilometers of the race track.
Since the marathon will be conducted within the Mac Arthur Highway, Bernardino ensured that it will not affect the traffic in the area, since it will begin at 4 a.m. and expected to be finished by 7 a.m.
Bernardino also revealed that pairs of rubber shoes will again be donated to 500 students here who would join the marathon. (PNA)