Tabal annexes fourth straight marathon title, earns P450K

MANILA, Philippines – Mary Joy Tabal flattened the women’s field in record time and clinched her fourth consecutive crown while Jeson Agravante claimed his first title in the men’s side of the 40th National Milo Marathon national finals in Iloilo City yesterday.

Tabal posted a new personal record of 2:47:49 in ideal conditions and pocketed the top P150,000 purse, an additional P250,000 for placing second in the 42K female Open category and an additional P50,000 for breaking her own mark.

Tabal bested Christabel Martes (03:10:11) and Lizane Abella (03:14:27).

Agravante posted a 02:35:13 clocking to likewise bank P150,000. He beat Maclin Sadia (02:35:22) and Julius Sermonia (02:37:01).

The winners also won an all expense Milo-paid trip to Canada as representatives of the Philippines in the 2017 Ottawa Marathon.

“By sending them to the Ottawa Marathon, we are also giving them a chance to be able to qualify for the Olympics,” said Andrew Neri, Milo sports marketing manager.

Tabal actually came into the race wary of her chances for a fourth straight title as she was forced to train lightly following a busy year.

“I only had minimal training for this race because I have been training and racing so much this year. I was scared of getting injuries and burnout,” said Tabal. “But my coach John (Philip Dueñas) reassured me that I have prepared well. I ran with a relaxed pace and just maintained it. I’m very happy that I won,” said Tabal, who is also set to vie in the 2017 SEA Games in Malaysia.

Agravante, whose previous best was third in 2014, also relished his breakthrough win, saying: “I really wasn’t expecting to win because there are so many great runners.” “It was a pleasant race with a flat route and I was able to enjoy it very much at a relaxed pace.”

Meanwhile,  the 41st National Milo Marathon will kick off in Urdaneta on July 16, 2017 followed by races in Laoag (July 23), Pasay (July 30), Angeles (Aug. 6), Tarlac (Aug. 13), Antipolo (Aug. 20), Naga (Aug. 27), Lucena (Sept. 3), Lipa (Sept. 10), Imus (Sept. 17), Tacloban (Sept. 24), Roxas (Oct. 1), Iloilo (Oct. 8), General Santos (Oct. 29), Davao (Nov. 5), Butuan (Nov. 12), and Cagayan De Oro (Nov. 19). The National Finals will be held in Cebu on Dec. 3.