Tabal gears up for two marathons

CEBU, Philippines — Cebuana marathoner Mary Joy Tabal has already moved on after her failed attempt at the gold medal during the 30th Southeast Asian Games.

Tabal now sets her sight on two major marathons next year that is the National finals of the Milo Marathon in January and the Tokyo Marathon on March 1 in Japan.

Tabal, who was dethroned by fellow Pinay long-distance runner Christine Hallasgo in SEA Games in New Clark City, is now preparing for the National finals where she is gunning for her seventh straight championship.

Tabal has not taken a Christmas break as she is currently training hard in Cebu.

An intense battle is expected during the national finals as a chance of another Tabal-Hallasgo faceoff might take place. Hallasgo aims to prove that her victory over Tabal during the SEAG was no fluke.

Whatever the result, Tabal is surely to compete in the prestigious Tokyo Marathon. The race will serve as one of Tabal’s qualifying race for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Aside from the Olympics, it has been Tabal’s ultimate goal to run in all major marathons in the world. This includes London, Berlin, Chicago and New York City Marathon.

So far, Tabal has done one major yet, the Boston Marathon back in 2016 together with the late marathon king Rafael Poliquit Jr.

During that race, finished 20th in her age-group and 21st in the overall rankings of the women’s elite.