Pasay City, Philippines – February 2026 – The country’s most prestigious and longest-running running event marks a historic milestone as the National MILO® Marathon celebrates its 50th year of building champions and encouraging Filipinos to stay active. Five decades since it started nurturing Filipino athletes, the National MILO® Marathon has transformed from a running event to becoming a movement that continues to strengthen the brand’s purpose of nation building by fueling active Filipino families and inspiring communities to embrace a healthier, more active lifestyle.
It also served as a unique venue where remarkable stories of grit and discipline unfold. Mary Joy Tabal held the MILO Marathon Queen title from 2013 to 2018, becoming the first woman marathoner to win six consecutive times. Eduardo Buenavista held the MILO Marathon King title five times in 2002, 2008, 2010, 2012, and 2013 and remained undefeated for nine years. Not only breaking personal records, the National MILO® Marathon opened opportunities for many people, from being able to take their first airplane ride for the marathon’s National Finals, to traveling outside the country to join some of the world’s major races.
Just last year, mother-daughter duo Uma and Marikit Pacete moved the nation with their unique #MyMILOStory that highlights how one’s love for sports can inspire the next generation. Uma is an avid runner who has been joining the National MILO® Marathon since her elementary days. In 2025, she finally inducted her daughter, Marikit, into sports by passing down her 32nd MILO® Marathon shirt to her.
For 50 years, the MILO® Marathon continues to evolve to meet the changing needs of Filipino runners, introducing innovations that make the race more inclusive and inspiring. This year, it is proud to introduce its newest initiative, Champ Run. Designed with the Department of Education (DepEd) specifically to help make it easier for kids to get into and fall in love with running, this new race series aims to give school children a fun and meaningful entry into the sport. There will be a total of 25 Champ Runs this year, which, in addition to the 15 scheduled MILO® Marathon legs and other community runs, bring the total number of races that MILO® is mounting to 50–the most number in its long history.
“50 years is a lifetime. For us, this milestone is more than just a celebration of the race’s success. It is a tribute to every child who learned to dream big, every family who chose to be active together, and every Filipino who took the first step towards a healthier life through the MILO® Marathon. As we move forward, our focus remains clear. We are building champions in sport and in life,” shares Carlo Sampan, Assistant Vice President of MILO® Philippines and Head of MILO® Sports.
In addition to helping build champions, the MILO® Marathon is also known for driving sports tourism. “We understand that people go out of their way and are willing to travel to join the MILO® Marathon. Through the years, we’ve brought the race to parts and communities of the Philippines that we think can benefit from it. And the running community loves it. MILO® Marathon has become a way for people to discover the best of various regions, and for locals to also experience the joys of being part of the race,” adds Sampan.
MILO® Marathon continues to promote active lifestyles across different demographics, which makes it an important partner of government agencies that share the same goal, including the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).
Join us in celebrating 50 years of the MILO® Marathon! Be part of the milestone—run, share your story, and inspire the next generation of champions. For more details, visit the official MILO® Philippines page or the Runrio Facebook page.
