Organizers of the 38th National Milo Marathon Finals decided to postpone the running event because of supertyphoon Ruby.
The race was supposed to be held today in Manila.
The storm made landfall in Eastern Visayas last night and was expected to cause bad weather in different parts of the country.
Because of this, the technical team handling the biggest footrace in the country, RunRio, decided yesterday afternoon to move the race. They have yet to decide when the new date will be.
One of the most affected with the postponement was reigning Milo Marathon Queen Mary Joy Tabal of Cebu, who flew in to Manila last Thursday to defend her crown in the 42-kilometer full marathon race.
“I feel disappointed,” Tabal said. “So far, the weather here in Manila isn’t bad. But they announced the postponement 10-hours before the gunstart. It really pains me because I’ve trained very hard for this race and I’m very ready even if it rains here.”
But Tabal said she can’t do anything but accept the organizers’ decision. Tabal, who missed the Cebu Qualifying leg last October because she competed in an international marathon in Korea, managed to qualify after topping the Butuan leg.
An official statement from RunRio was sent to the media yesterday regarding the postponement.
“In view of the imminent arrival of Typhoon Ruby and to ensure the safety and welfare of all concerned, it has been decided that the National Finals of the 38th MILO Marathon will be postponed. Originally scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 7, 2014, a new date will be announced within the next few days,” the statement read.
“We apologize for this disappointment and ask everyone be sure to take care during this coming difficult days. We would like to assure all officially registered runners that their registration will be honored in the new race schedule.”