FORMER six-time Milo Marathon women’s champion Mary Joy Tabal will organize the Mandaue, Cebu race, one of the three races simultaneously kicking off the country’s longest-running road competition on April 7.
“We are very excited to be opening the doors to our Visayan runners,” said Tabal, a Rio Olympic Games veteran, who expects around 15,000 runners in the race that will also feature competitions in Laoag, Ilocos Norte and Lipa, Batangas, ushering in Milo’s 60th anniversary in the country.
“It (the Milo Marathon) is where I flourished and became who I am today. As the organizer of the Mandaue race, I aim to pay it forward, ensuring a memorable and enjoyable event where everyone can excel and pursue their goals in sports or in life,” the 2017 Malaysia Southeast Asian Games gold medalist said.
She added the Mandaue City government led by Mayor Jonas Cortes is fully supporting race, deploying security, medical and traffic personnel around the 21-kilometer race route.
“The city of Mandaue is excited to host the inaugural race of the national Milo Marathon. We look forward to extending our warm hospitality to all runners joining the event,” Cortes said.
Cortes said the Mandaue Department of Education Division will be fielding elementary and high school students to see action in the competition as part of its campaign to promote an active and healthy lifestyle among the city’s youth.
