Davao’s Jaro, Lupio vie for 36th Milo run finals berths

BRIAN Lupio and Cynthia Jaro will eye repeat victories as they lead over 13,000 runners in the 15th qualifying leg of the 36th Milo Marathon in Davao tomorrow.

Lupio and Jaro, the Davao leg winners last year, are among the favorites to book slots to the Dec. 9 national finals at Mall of Asia in Pasay.  Anthony Nerza, runner-up to Lupio last year, is also participating.

The premiere 21K race will kick off at 4:30 a.m., followed by the 10K run at 5 a.m.  The 5K and 3K contests will start 5:30 a.m.

Over 450 runners have gained  42K finals berths, including three-time men’s champion and recent adidas King of the Road Southeast Asia winner Eduardo Buenavista and two-time women’s winner Jho-Ann Banayag.  The national winner will take home P300,000.
Gilbert Maluyo  and Jaro’s sister Criselyn topped last Sunday’s qualifier in Gen. Santos City.  Only two more elimination legs are left—Butuan City on Nov. 18 and Cagayan de Oro on Nov. 25.

“We are looking forward to seeing the full running force of Davao tomorrow,” said Robbie de Vera, Milo Sports executive.

Underprivileged students in Davao will also benefit from Milo’s “Help Give Shoes” advocacy program, which has so far helped 21,200 school children nationwide.

A total of 500 pairs of shoes will be given to beneficiaries from Evico Nograles Elementary School, Sta. Ana National High School, San Roque Elementary School, Matina Central Elementary School and Cabantian National High School.
“We are privileged to have the continued support of the regional government in our effort to expand sports development in the country,” said De Vera.  “We are also able to continue our mission to inspire runners to strive hard for their dreams.”