CEBU CITY—She may be 10 minutes behind her record set last year in Iloilo, but Mary Joy Tabal was still a mile superior among her peers after finishing first once more at the 42-KM event of the 41st National Milo Marathon National Finals here Sunday.
The 27-year-old Olympian was reduced to tears when she crossed the finish line at 2:58:01, dedicating the win to her father, who died the day before.
“Tinuloy ko talaga itong race na ito kase ito ang huli naming napag-usapan. Ang sabi niya sa akin, magkita kami sa finish line,” said the emotional Milo Marathon Queen, who has won the prestigious running event a record five straight times, the first person to do so while tying Arsenia Sagaray’s female record with most wins.
The Southeast Asian Games gold medallist added that this was her saddest and hardest race to ever run and she hopes she can be an inspiration to all Filipino athletes to strive for greatness even amidst adversary.
The record-setting win was made more special as Tabal notched the historic feat in front of her kababayans in Cebu.
Tabal was still six minutes faster than second placer Christabel Martes (3:04:20), while bronze medallist Jho-an Villarma breasted the tape at 3:11:26.
Meanwhile, virtual unknown Joerge Andrade surprised the men’s category of the full marathon, clocking in 2:39:34 in topping local bet Erick Panique (2:42:10) and two-time Milo marathon champ Eduardo Buenavista (2:43:34).
It was the Davaoeño salesman’s second marathon after placing second in last year’s 40th NMM Davao leg.
For the open category, the Kenyans once again dominated the competition, claiming all but one podium spot with Eric Chepsiror (2:25:09), James Talam (2:25:25), and Josphat Chobei (2:26:41) ruling the men’s category.
Elizabeth Chepkanan Rumokol, meanwhile, breezed the challenging route of the scenic city in 2:31:32 as fellowman Nancy Joan Rotich followed at 2:50:35. MJ Tabal claimed third place.