Aside from winning biggest purse in Cebu, Tabal logs new PR in Aboitiz marathon win

With the talent-filled lineup in yesterday’s Run to Reduce 2011, Mary Joy Tabal’s trainer John Philip Dueñas had only modest expectations for his runner.

But the 22-year-old Southwestern University (SWU) ace runner Tabal showed that she can beat some of the best runners today as she ruled the 42-kilometer race of the Aboitiz Equity Ventures-led  event yesterday.

Tabal continued her rise to stardom as she crossed the finish line at the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC) in Mandaue City in two hours, 57 seconds and 59 seconds. Her time was actually her new personal record (PR) in a 42k race.

“Iyang (Dueñas) expectation makasulod lang ko sa top three within 3 hours,” said Tabal, who was granted a scholarship from SWU to pursue her masteral degree in Commerce, major in Public Administration, along with Dueñas. “Pero nakuha nako ug mas mubo nga time. Worth it gyud kaayo akong training with Dueñas.”

The victory gave Tabal the whopping P70,000 top purse of the race. It is so far the biggest cash prize in Cebu running. She said she is planning to use the money for her younger sister’s college education.

Race director Raffy Uytiepo said he was shocked and  very happy that Tabal won against a tough cast of contenders that included some of the country’s best and some Kenyans.

“Wala jud ko nag expect nga si Tabal ang mo daog kay lig-on kaayo iyang mga tapad,” said Uytiepo.  “I’m very proud of her because she is a Cebuana and at her young age she has already made a name for herself.”

The win was Tabal’s first in a 42k race. She has so far joined three full marathons. She finished third in the Milo National Marathon last year and second in the Cebu City Marathon early this year.

Finishing second to Tabal was Luisa Raterta (3:07:50) while Philippine Team member Aileen Tolentino, who beat Tabal in the Cebu City Marathon, clocked 3:09:46 for third place.

KENYANS RULE

MEN’S SIDE

Kenyan national team veteran James Cherutich lorded the men’s 42k with a time of 2:24:12. Fellow Kenyan Josphat Kiptanui claimed second place with a time of 2:25:20 followed by Filipino champion Eduardo Buenavista (2:26:21).

The Kenyans also dominated the 21k run after Elliud Kering topped the men’s side with a time of 1:10:40. SWU’s Ian Bernido clocked 1:13:34 for second place while Ian Babiera (1:13:51) finished third.

Zamboanga’s Mary Grace Delos Santos returned to Cebu with a bang, winning the women’s 21k run with a time of 1:25:57.

She was absent in several races in Cebu after she trained in Baguio to qualify for the RP team.

Rhea Ann Barcena (1:32:30) and Madelyn Carter (1:36:22) placed second and third, respectively.

Other winners were Joebert Carolino (men’s 10k), Jhean Andrin (women’s 10k), Joel Delposo (men’s 5k) and Lovely Fe Andrin (women’s 5k).