Richard Salaño and Christine Hallasgo, reigning Milo Marathon King and Queen, represented the Philippines at the prestigious Sydney Marathon on Sunday, August 31, where they showed grit and resilience against world-class rivals.
Salaño finished with a time of 2:26.48 to become the fastest male Southeast Asian participant in the event the brought together more than 35,000 runners, marking its historic inclusion in the prestigious Abbott World Marathon majors.
Hallasgo, on the other hand, clocked 2:54.24, a time many considered impressive, too.
For both champions, Sydney was more than just a marathon — it was a dream fulfilled, a challenge embraced, and an opportunity to carry the Philippine flag with pride on the world stage.
Adapting from the Philippine heat to Sydney’s cooler climate, Salaño and Hallasgo maintained strict discipline in sleep, nutrition, and recovery, ensuring a good performance throughout the race.
Their dedication reflects the commitment of MILO® to nurturing champions — from grassroots programs to global competitions — inspiring Filipinos to pursue their dreams with resilience, discipline, and passion.
“Maraming uphill, pero maganda pa rin ang time ko, hindi rin malayo sa personal best ko sa MILO® Marathon finals. Nag-push sa akin ay ang cheer ng mga tao sa race, lalo na ang mga Filipino,” said Salaño.
Describing the course as her toughest yet, Hallasgo said: “Ito na ang pinaka-mahirap na marathon race course para sa akin, pero maganda pa rin ang naging time ko. Iniisip ko ang suporta ng sambayanang Pilipino, at siyempre dala namin ang karangalan na i-represent ang bansa.”
Christine encouraged young Filipinos to remain patient and persistent in chasing their goals, noting that success is built over time.
“Sa mga kabataan, ’wag kayo mawalan ng pag-asa. Balang araw, makukuha niyo rin ’yang pinapangarap niyo,” she said.
