IT’S official: Cebu’s pride and beloved runner Mary Joy Tabal will represent the country in the 28th Southeast Asian Games on June 5 to 16 in Singapore.
The Philippines will be fielding Tabal – the country’s current fastest woman marathoner—in the distaff side of a 42-kilometer grind.
The diminutive Filipina has tucked countless titles under her belt, including the back-to-back titles in the National Milo Marathon.
Tabal, who finished at 27th overall in the LA Marathon last month, received an email from Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association (Patafa) president Philip Ella Juico this week, confirming her participation in the SEA Games.
The bemedalled runner of Talamban, Cebu was overwhelmed by the chance to represent the country this international sporting event.
Tabal said she was told last year that she has a chance to join SEA Games, but she did not expect that much because most of the athletes that will be sent are Philippine team members.
“I am very happy and proud to represent the country in the SEA Games. Joining international running events has been my goal as a runner. Not all are given this opportunity, I am fulfilled that as a runner, I achieved something,” Tabal told Sun.Star Cebu. “This SEA Games slot is my opportunity to gauge my ranking in Southeast Asia.”
Tabal, 25, has joined races in Paris, Japan, South Korea and Hong Kong.
Tabal holds the country’s current women’s best time in a marathon at 2:48, which she set in the Milo Marathon.
“I can’t tell of my chances in the SEA Games yet because I’m not yet 100 percent ready for the race. But I think one of my toughest competitors would be the Thai-American, who has a best time of 2:40,” said Tabal.
Tabal who’s training with her long-time coach and running partner John Philip Dueñas, said they will be doing their training program in Cebu.
“I have the best resources for training here in Cebu. At least I can prove that an athlete can train at any place, but of course it will depend on your program, the athlete’s dedication and hard work, and the guidance of the coach,” she said.
Tabal Patafa will provide support during her training stint.
“They haven’t instructed me yet on the other details on what to do. But I hope that they will provide me with training allowance to support my training program so that I would not be tempted to join fun runs. I have to provide for my nutrition and supplements while training,” said Tabal, who will be the country’s lone participant in the women’s marathon.
Meanwhile, former Cebu-based and now national team member Mary Grace delos Santos will be joining the 10,000-meter run.
The Philippines finished at seventh place last in 2013 SEA Games in Myanmar with 29 golds, 34 silvers and 38 bronze medals.
Source: sunstar.com.ph/cebu/sports
