OUTHWESTERN University’s (SWU) ace runner Mary Joy Tabal said she was satisfied with her finish in the National Milo Marathon yesterday in Pasay City.
The Cebuana Tabal clocked three hours, five minutes and 12 seconds to win the women’s local 42-kilometer race but finished only fourth overall. Zamboanga’s Mary Grace delos Santos topped the overall race (see banner story).
Tabal said she could have finished better if not for the cramps she suffered early in the race.
Still, she was satisfied because she was able to finish within her target time of three hours.
“I suffered a cramps in the earlier part of the race so I said to myself ‘please not this time’, so I just held on and forced myself to finish,” said the 23-year-old Tabal.
Four-time champion Cristabel Martes wound up second with a 3:10:46 time, while Jennilyn Nobleza (3:22:03) settled for third.
Tabal won P150,000 for placing fourth in the overall and first in the local category. She is now looking forward to joining an international marathon in Guam next year./CORRESPONDENT DALE G. ROSAL