Milo Marathon 2011 (Iloilo City Leg)

The starting line was infront of WVSU
along Luna, La Paz.

Twas the day we swam ran in a sea of green. Milo Marathon is the biggest, longest, and perhaps, the grandest running event in the country.  We chose to join the 5km - Fun Run as the more serious categories (10k and 21k respectively) were out of our league.  I hardly jog, nor do I engage in any fitness activity (ain't it obvious?heheh..)

The little boy who was up by 3am
just to be sure he gets to the race on time.

The sea of green filling Bonifacio Drive.

Crossing the bridge leading to the Sports Complex
 (the finish area).

Isn't that long stretch of people filling Gen. Luna St lovely?

Walking the climb isn't as hard when there's thousands
of green-Milo clad crowd to make everything fun.

Descending the Gen.Luna flyover--thousands and thousands of happy feet.

It was such a fun event (my first time) because for the record, Iloilo City registered more than 12thousand runners -- the biggest number of participants outside Manila! That means more kids are going to get more running shoes as Milo undertakes to donate a portion of the registration fee (which was 100pesos for the fun-run category, 500pesos for the 10k and 21k categories) to buy shoes for kids in public schools.

With former PBB housemate Tatang Rudy Fernandez,
himself a  fan of sports events like this.

Running Coah Rio de la Cruz was also there to grace  the event (he is a Milo Marathon coordinator).

Among the many side activities were Nutrition Consultation like these (with a certified Nutritionist giving advice on proper nutrition, and necessary lifestyle changes).

Most of those who joined were school delegates.  But friends and cliques also came in throngs.  Families with school age kids also joined the swarm along with very many yuppies who sported their chicest running gears and gadgets.

Running the last mile towards the finish line.

...and finally making it.

..to be able to claim this coveted Finisher's Certificate
-- with pride.

Finishers in all categories got to receive a certificate but those who finished the 10k and 21k especially in 1.5hrs were also given medals.

Those who finished the half-marathon (21k) within 1.5hrs
 were given their medals.
See? No such thing as senior citizen
when it comes to doing "great things"! =)

Its heart-warming to realize how simple things (in my case, ditching my pessimism and longer snoozetime for some fun Sunday run) can make us savor life's many blessings... Like the breathtaking view of the sea of green -- the Milo singlet-clad crowd who happily filled the streets of our quaint little city, one fine Sunday morn.

And because "great things start from small beginnings," I vow to put my fuchsia trainers to more work -- one small step at a time. ;-) So perhaps I could join the full marathon (at 41k) when I'm 41? Heheh. Who knows? =)