Tabal vies in EVA Air Marathon

MANILA, Philippines — Around 24,000 runners including Filipina Olympian Mary Joy Tabal test their mettle on the road at the heart of Taiwan in the biggest edition of the EVA Air Marathon on Oct. 26.

It’s the return of Tabal, the country’s most decorated marathoner, to competitive running from a long hiatus after the Tokyo Marathon in 2023. Her last campaign at home was in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games.

“I’m excited to be finally back on the road. Hindi lang ito simpleng marathon, it’s about finding the joy in running again after spending time with my family as full-time mom and wife,” said Tabal during a press conference on Tuesday at Crimson Filinvest City Manila.

“The goal is to get back on running and we’ll see. It’s good to be back in the sport that made me an Olympian.”

A Rio Olympian, SEA Games gold medalist and six-time Milo Marathon queen, the 35-year-old Tabal will lead the local delegation as the official Team Philippines ambassador.

Around 300 Filipinos will fly to Taipei to join Tabal for the EVA Air Marathon, including other national and student-athletes to be endorsed by the Department of Education and the Philippine Sports Commission courtesy of organizer TravelCare, which will shoulder the all-expense paid trip.

“It’s our fulfillment to boost the sportsmanship of our athletes. It’s our honor to send our Filipino delegation to Taiwan through the EVA Air Marathon,” said TravelCare proprietor Sunshine Lim.

The participation of the Philippines along with other countries from all over the globe is what makes EVA Air Marathon a one-of-a-kind experience since its inauguration in 2018, according to EVA Airways general manager Rick Hsieh.

“We connect the world through our airline and now, marathon,” said Hsieh, expecting a massive and successful turnout of the staple Taipei marathon.