Tabal shines in Seoul footrace

CEBU, Philippines – Cebu's road running queen Mary Joy Tabal added feather on her cap after coming out as the overall champion in a 21-kilometer women's open race she joined in Seoul, South Korea yesterday.

Despite the cold weather condition she is not used to, Tabal, who is also the national record-holder in women's marathon, snared the title with a personal best time of one hour and 19 minutes. She was even close to breaking the Philippines record of 1:18:45 set by Mercedita Fetalvero in 2008.

Since she failed to join the Cebu eliminations of the 38th National Milo Marathon in light of her Seoul trip, Tabal will be joining the Butuan leg instead to further gauge her preparedness to defend her crown in the national finals this December 7 in Manila. (FREEMAN)