36th Milo Manila Elims - From A 10k Perspective

After being out of circulation in the local road races, its was a welcome sight for me to return and what better time to return on the road than via the 36^th Milo Manila Eliminations at the Mall of Asia (MOA).

On my way to the venue at the junction of EDSA and Roxas Boulevard, I could see sillohuettes of runners at the flyover bridge. I assume these should be the 42k runners which was supposed to be flagged off at 3:00am and at that time it was around 3:50am There was no rain but you could feel it in ypur bones that rain should be dropping in any minute.

By 4:15am I was already on queue at the northern open space parking of MOA and as expected it was full and I was one of the last vehicle that was allowed to enter the parking area.

By 4:25am I was already at the starting area and the emcees were briefing the 21k runners and about to send them off. At exactly 4:30am the 21k runners were released which I had the opportunity to witness. God there were a lot of runners. 31/2 minutes after the start, there were still runners crossing the starting line. I leave it up to you to estimate how many were there.

At 4:45am all 10k runners were allowed to enter the holding area and the usual pre-race formalities, briefing and what have you were done by the emcees. As per the announcement, this event was more than the 42k and 21k events in term of participants. At exactly 5:00am 10k runners were released using the usual Diosdado Macapagal Avenue to Sotto Avenue in Cultural Center then to Roxas Boulevard until the crossing of Vito Cruz and back to MOA area for a good distance of 10k.

01h25m15s after, I crossed the finish line on race walking mode a good 5 minutes ahead of the sweeper time of 01h30m on running mode. It was not the best of my race walk time but I feel good that there were still a big number of runners behind me who were running and walking in the process.

Milo Marathon is already an institution and what more could you expect except that it is getting higher and higher in its degree of excellence in the matter the race is held. To think that they are doing this almost every week on different regions in the Philippines to make sure that the be able to bring the sport all over the island which is to highlight of the 36th Milo Finals at Manila sometime in December. To the Nesle group and their brand Milo THANK YOU. They have done so much to the youth and those who are needy and wanting. To Coach Rio dela Cruz who has handled this event on the race technical side for the last two years congratulations as always.

From the finish line to where my van was parked it was a good 3/4km so I took the said distance to cool down. A minute after I arrived my car a heavy downpour of rain finally came. It was heavy in every sense of the word. Another race that spared me from the rain, but, not the others as most of the 42k and 21k were still on the road.

35th Milo Manila Elimination - Singing Dancing Running In The Rain (sidelight KSwiss Kwicky Blade Light)

In the Philippines when you mention the product of Nestle’s MILO it is but synonymous to RUNNING. Milo Marathon is on its 35^th year and on July 31, 2011 it was the Manila Eliminations.  The 42k and 21k events had their qualifying time that will eventually culminate to the 35^th Milo National Finals. As always there were also the 10k 5K and 3k events.

This year the weather was not as cooperative as in the past for this morning it was not only raining, but, it was pouring hard very hard. However, there were still a great number of runners who braved the rain for all the categories. It makes me wonder what can prevent these runners from running?

Due to the rain and the traffic congestion on the junction at Macapagal Highway and EDSA leading to Mall Of Asia (MOA) I barely made it to the starting pen of the 10k event.  It can be considered some sort of a blessing as I need not soak it out in the rain while waiting for the gun start. At exactly 5:30am the starting gun was sounded amidst heavy rain and streets littered with ponds of water.

Milo Marathon in past has generated one of the most well attended if not the most attended road race. However, due to the weather condition, I would safely say that more than half of the usual number preferred to stay at home. For those that endured the rain, it was a great experience. It was singing, dancing and running in the rain.

01h13m26s after the start I crossed the finish line. The rain did not let up from start to finish and I was astonished to see that they were still runners and supporters awaiting for the awarding program to start despite of the rain.  I did not bother to linger around the activity area, but choose to proceed to my car and head home for a well deserve hot shower.

The 35^th Milo elimination in Manila was a rain experience. Singing, dancing and running in the rain. Congratulations to all runners and to Nestle’s Milo Marathon Team. 


Posted hereunder is my official 10k results;

SIDELIGHT – K-Swiss Kwicky Blade Light

Last 21Jul11 I bought myself a K-SWISS KWICKY BLADE LIGHT at their Glorietta 4 outlet store. Today at the 35^th Milo Elimination I tested the shoes. It had a nice fit and ride all throughout my event. However when I arrived home I noticed that yellow lining of the front foxing at the uppers of the shoe has separated. I love how the shoe responded in the rain run, however, it’s a great disappointment for the durability. Considering the cost is P6,500.00+ I brought the shoe back also today to the store. Being a Sunday I was promised that the quality control of their head office will give a feedback by Monday. I hope and pray that I get a replacement shoe. Let us see what is the after sales dependability of K-Swiss. 


(update as of 1Aug11 KSwiss outlet in Glorietta informed me that my defective pair of shoe will be change soonest the new stock of Kwicky Blade Lights arrive from USA)


(update as of 13Aug11 I received my replacement Kwicky Blade Lights from KSwiss Glorietta - Great after sales support and special thanks to store staff Richard and Fatima, I highly recommend this product in particular the professional after sales support)