Impressed Milo execs push for holding of Nat’l Finals in Cebu

MILO HIGH. While other runners appear dead serious about last Sunday’s Milo Marathon-Cebu Leg race, this lady is having the time of her life as she makes her way through the thick crowd along Osmeña boulevard (CDN PHOTO/LITO TECSON).

With their flawless hosting of the Cebu City leg of the 40th National Milo Marathon, Milo Sports executives may just give the Queen City of the South a shot at staging the National Finals.

Except for one drawback: the city’s roadways.

According to Cebu leg organizer Ricky Ballesteros, Cebu City is capable of hosting the country’s biggest and most prestigious marathon. In fact, they were ready to host the 2016 National Finals but backed out after learning that the proposed Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project was scheduled to start this year. Instead, Iloilo City will host it for the first time.

Since the BRT project has yet to start, Ballesteros said he has to wait and see first before committing to stage the daunting task.

“The main roads will be affected by this project, and these are the Milo Marathon’s route. There’s no problem [hosting the event] except for the road readiness,” Ballesteros, who received another award from National Milo Marathon for organizing the best race in country, said.

The Cebu leg last Sunday was the biggest outside of Manila. It drew 17,400 runners.

“For me it was the smoothest run ever. No casualties, no injured runners, no one was hospitalized and we started and finished on time. Of course this success won’t be possible without the big help from the LGU, medical teams and volunteers,” said Ballesteros.

Milo Sports Executive Andrew Neri said with the way the recent race was organized, he and the rest of the officials from Milo were convinced Cebu can handle the National Finals.

“Cebu is a very happy place to run. Many came from Manila, Bacolod, Dumaguete and Cagayan De Oro to join the race. We are very excited and hopeful that the National Finals will be held here in Cebu soon. What we are looking at is a very credible and capable local organizer and a very supportive LGU which contributes to the success of the race,” said Neri.

Race director Rio dela Cruz couldn’t agree more, saying Ballesteros deserved the “Organizer of the Year” award he won for three straight years now.