Hail Mary, joy for Tabal Cebuana running star shines brightly 21K in Cebu leg of Milo Marathon

CEBU, Philippines - Whether she's healthy or sick, injured or fit, well-prepared or not, Cebuana long distance running star Mary Joy Tabal always finds a way to make an impact.

She simply did that during yesterday's Cebu leg of the 36th National Milo Marathon - the country's best-organized race in its long proud history that once again drew a record crowd of nearly 22,000 runners that transformed the city's main thoroughfares into a sparkling sea of green.

Tabal courageously endured the pain of blisters on her foot on the way to snatch the 21K women's crown with the time of one hour, 26 minutes and 58 seconds. For finishing three minutes earlier than the cut-off time of 1:30, she earned an all-expense paid trip to the National Finals this December in Manila courtesy of the sponsoring Nestle Philippines.

Junel Languido of Bukidnon, on the other hand, benefited from the event's new ruling that bars foreign runners from winning a provincial leg to lord it over in the men's division.

"I'm not really that confident with my performance, but I am happy to have qualified for the national finals. I will just have to train harder to regain my confidence and get back into my old form," said Tabal, a decorated member of the Southwestern University (SWU) athletics varsity team.

Tabal was way ahead of her closest pursuer, Joery Lee of University of Southern Philippines Foundation, who clocked in 1:37:52. Lee missed a free trip to Manila for failing to breach the cut-off time, but she can still race in the nationals on her own under the 18-24 age group.

Madelyn Carter, who showed up after a period of grief brought by the death of her husband recently, timed 1:44:45 to place third in the colorful and lively race that has all the elements of a street party, making it an event that Cebuano running enthusiasts always look forward to each year.

Rounding up the top 10 finishers in the women's 21K battle were Sandra Soliano (1:45:47), Virginia Parajenog (1:50:16), Path Torremoro(1:52:34), Odiza Abellana(1:55:09), Tessie Escarinas(1:56:31), Wilma Lugay(1:57:18) and Preciosa Sanchez(1:57:25).

In the men’s bracket, Kenyan Abraham Missos crossed the finish line ahead of the rest with the time of one hour, 11 minutes and 50 seconds. His entry, however, only serves as a qualifying race for the nationals, thus, he is not entitled to the P10,000 cash prize that eventually went into the hands of Languido, a humble worker at the Dole pineapple plantation in Bukidnon.

The 28-year-old running machine from Mindanao was just six seconds behind Missos.

Mohammad Sherwin Managil placed second in 1:14:49 followed by Bonifacio Monjas with the time of 1:14:51.

Ramil Neri wound up fourth in 1:15:39, barely beating the 1:15 qualifying time set for the grand finale.

Aside from Missos, 44 other male runners under the 21K category have booked tickets into the nationals with free registration and singlet but they will have to pay for their own trip.

Among the qualifiers in their respective age brackets were Noel Tillor, Joseph Arnel Emia, Paul James Zafico, Dandy Maturan, Rolan Batiancila, Joey Oacan, Dino Paolo Pison, Roirich Masong, Bayani Alvarez, Jessie Cuyos, Rodel Auxtero, Joshua Canada, Ludivino Doquiatan, Janilito Landiza,Marcelino Trazona, Jessie Mesa; Alan Leith Ting, Jurgen Peter Dorr, Joselito Sayon, Dino Rosales, Dan Climaco, Angeles Leonardo, Jr., Ferdinand Sugoc, Teodoro Escarro, Neil Anthony Nacario, Virgilio Remo, Jr., Elmo Clarabal, Rhyz Buac, Arturo Angel, Sandra Soliano, Francisco Limpangog, Ruth Banzon, Gianluca Guidicelli, Abemael Virtudazo, Democrito Branzuela, Alejandro Geyrozaga, Robert Labra, Leopoldo Santos, Nemesio Escarinas, Willy Yao and Delmo Sullano.

While foreign runners were barred from winning in the 21K, German national Beate Krechlow made her first trip to the Philippines, the Queen City of the South in particular, a memorable one after topping the women’s 10K action with the time of 41 minutes and 51 seconds.

Bohol's pride Aiza Suaybaguio came out second in 41:51 as Mary Jane Beboso ended her bid at third place in 44:57.

In the men's 10K, Jordan Bacong took the first place in 34:16, just three seconds ahead of Ronny Andrin as Adonis Singson wound up third in 34:36.

What Ronny Andrin missed his sisters Lovely Fe and Cherry got after they dominated the girls 5K and 3K run, respectively. Lovely Fe clocked in 18 minutes and 19 seconds, while Cherry posted the best time of 11 minutes and 51 seconds.

From only seventh last year, Paolo Kent Lauron zoomed to the top in the boys 3K with an improved time of 12 minutes and three seconds. Kevin Torremocha finished second in 12:07 followed by Ralph Eduard So in 12:25.

In the boys 5K, Jory Ycong took home the crown with the time of 16:16 followed by John Cliff Debulusan and Prince Joey Lee, who both posted the time of 16:19.

In the exciting sidelights, the University of Cebu (UC), for the nth time, bagged the biggest delegation award, this time with 2, 244 entries. Its sister-school Cebu Technological University placed second with 1,676 participants including close to a hundred deaf students as Indiana Aerospace University of Lapu-Lapu City landed third with 345 runners.

UC also claimed the fastest delegation award with an average time of its first 25 finishers at 20:55:86 followed by the Abellana National School in 23:11:72 and CTU in 23:13:64.

The Cebu City Central School also had a good time as they bounced back from their loss in cheerdance competition of the Milo Little Olympics by grabbing the top spot of the said event yesterday. Zapatera Elementary School took the second place honors followed by Mambaling ES.

St. Paul College Foundation came out the best in the secondary level, while the next two spots were occupied by Talisay City National High School and Barrio Luz NHS.

The University of the Visayas (UV) cheerdancers reigned supreme in the tertiary level followed by UC and the University of San Carlos (USC).

Although it rained a little bit before the race started, the weather cooperated so well to the delight of the organizers and the participants as well.

The new route designed by RunRio’s Rio de la Cruz was also well-appreciated. No major accident had happened except for two runners who were rushed to the hospital but are now out of danger.

“We are very thankful to the Cebuanos for their full cooperation. As what we have observed, motorists here are now more cooperative and we have not received any complaints from them that the race has caused traffic,” said Nestle Philippines consultant Pat Goc-Ong.

And who could be more happier than the indefatigable race organizer Ricky Ballesteros, the man responsible for another overwhelming success of the annual event that has become a yearly pilgrimage for fitness buffs.

“This year is better. We have corrected our lapses in the previous editions and from other running events here. We also added fireworks, confettis, dancers and other stuffs so participants won’t get bored,” said Ballesteros. (FREEMAN)