Tabal leads Philippines cast in EVA Air Marathon

MANILA, Philippines — Around 800 Filipinos including an elite delegation led by 2016 Rio Olympics veteran Mary Joy Tabal-Jimenez fly the flag in the EVA Air Marathon, backed by The Philippine STAR and The Freeman as media partners, on Oct. 26 in Taiwan.

After fielding the second biggest delegation last year, Team Philippines is upping the ante for the eighth edition of the world’s fastest-growing marathon aimed not just at recognizing elite runners but promoting sports tourism for family runners in what is dubbed as “race-cation.”

Around 24,000 runners from around the world compete in event featuring 42K full marathon, 21K half marathon, 10K and 3K runs with routes passing through iconic landmarks including the Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall and the Taipei 101 building.

For this year’s race, EVA Air will open additional gateways in Manila, Cebu and Clark in a bid to make the bridge between two good Pacific neighbors closer through accessible flights.

EVA Air Ambassador Tabal, SEA Games gold medalist, six-time Milo Marathon champion and the first Filipino marathoner in the Olympics, marked her return to competitive running last year after a long hiatus.

This time, she will not be alone as a bevy of elite runners from all over the country are in the Philippine delegation, including 10-year-old Jibreel Rivera from Mandaue.

“I’m honored to represent the Philippines once again. Thank you for the unending support to me and my fellow Filipino runners. This year’s run will be special to me by sending off Jibreel,” said the 36-year-old Tabal-Jimenez, running star now overseeing the Mandaue City sports council.

“It’s been my dream to bring our grassroots athletes to international competitions,” added Tabal-Jimenez.

Also in the fold are 2025 SEA Games marathon silver medalist Artjoy Torregosa, 2025 EVA Air 21KM run third placer Engr. Prince Joey Lee and SEA Games duathlon silver medalist Franklyn Ferdie Yee with Cebu Marathon champions Mark Mahinay and Michelle Mendoza.

Reinforcing Team Philippines is Skate The World founder, fellow EVA Air Ambassador and former pro speed skater Matthias Stelzmuller from Austria.

Organizing Team Philippines is EVA Air Philippines general manager Rick Hsieh in partnership with TravelCare headed by proprietors Charles and Sunshine Lim.

And there’s more to it than just racing as Tabal-Jimenez and Hsieh champion the essence of running with family, enjoying trips and traveling with comfort at Taiwan’s No. 1 airline with a 5-star airline certification by SkyTrax.

“EVA Air marathon is a family marathon. It’s for families. It’s for the parents and their kids,” said Tabal-Jimenez, who raced with her daughter Athena and triathlete husband Hector last year.

“The Philippines is known for their hospitality and you can receive the same status when you visit Taiwan. Filipinos are always welcome there. This run is really for a family purpose,” said Hsieh.