Past and present MILO Kings and Queens share their personal MILO® stories at the launch of the 50th National MILO® Marathon with Head of MILO® Sports, Carlo Sampan, and Coach Rio Dela Cruz, CEO of RunRio.
Mandaue City, Philippines – September 2026 – The country’s most prestigious and longest-running running event marks a historic milestone as the National MILO® Marathon in Cebu celebrates its 50th year of building champions and encouraging Filipinos to stay active.
Five decades since it started nurturing Filipino athletes, the National MILO® Marathon has transformed from a running event to becoming a movement that continues to strengthen the brand’s purpose of nation building by fueling active Filipino families and inspiring communities to embrace a healthier, more active lifestyle.
The National MILO® Marathon in Cebu has also served as a unique venue where remarkable stories of grit and discipline unfold. Across its 50-year history, the race has witnessed champions who have left a lasting mark on Philippine running. Mary Joy Tabal held the MILO Marathon Queen title from 2013 to 2018, becoming the first woman marathoner to win six consecutive times. Eduardo Buenavista held the MILO Marathon King title five times in 2002, 2008, 2010, 2012, and 2013 and remained undefeated for nine years. Their achievements continue to inspire runners across the country, including the Cebuano running community that comes together each year to take on the challenge.
Mother and daughter tandem, Uma and Marikit Pacete, share a heartfelt MILO® memory as Uma passes down her 32nd National MILO® Marathon shirt to her daughter.
Just last year, mother-daughter duo Uma and Marikit Pacete moved the nation with their unique #MyMILOStory that highlights how one’s love for sports can inspire the next generation. Uma is an avid runner who has been joining the National MILO® Marathon since her elementary days. In 2025, she finally inducted her daughter, Marikit, into sports by passing down her 32nd MILO® Marathon shirt to her.
For 50 years, the MILO® Marathon continues to evolve to meet the changing needs of Filipino runners, introducing innovations that make the race more inclusive and inspiring. This year, it is proud to introduce its newest initiative, Champ Run. Designed with the Department of Education (DepEd) specifically to help make it easier for kids to get into and fall in love with running, this new race series aims to give school children a fun and meaningful entry into the sport. There will be a total of 25 Champ Runs this year, which, in addition to the 15 scheduled MILO® Marathon legs and other community runs, bring the total number of races that MILO® is mounting to 50–the most number in its long history.
“50 years is a lifetime. For us, this milestone is more than just a celebration of the race’s success. It is a tribute to every child who learned to dream big, every family who chose to be active together, and every Filipino who took the first step towards a healthier life through the MILO® Marathon. As we move forward, our focus remains clear. We are building champions in sport and in life,” shares Carlo Sampan, Assistant Vice President of MILO® Philippines and Head of MILO® Sports.
In addition to helping build champions, the National MILO® Marathon in Cebu also contributes to sports tourism by bringing runners and their families together in one of the country’s most vibrant sporting destinations. The Cebu race gives participants an opportunity to experience the city while becoming part of a community that celebrates running, active lifestyles, and the spirit of Filipino champions.
MILO® Marathon continues to promote active lifestyles across different demographics, which makes it an important partner of government agencies that share the same goal, including the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).
Join us in celebrating 50 years of the MILO® Marathon! Be part of the milestone—run, share your story, and inspire the next generation of champions. For more details, visit the official MILO® Philippines page or the Runrio Facebook page.
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#MILOMarathon2026
#MILOActivePilipinas
#MyMILOStory
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