Running partners Tabal, Dueñas rule Cebu leg of 2013 Milo Marathon

The athlete-coach tandem of Mary Joy Tabal and John Philip Dueñas ruled the premier 21-kilometer race of the 37th National Milo Marathon Cebu qualifying leg yesterday at the Cebu City Sports Center.

It was a double celebration for the 24-year-old Tabal as aside from finishing first in the women’s class, she also improved her personal record by logging a time of one hour, 24 minutes and 48 seconds. Her previous best in the 21k was at 1:26.56.

Her 26-year-old running partner and coach John Philip Dueñas, on the other hand, topped the men’s side of the 21k race by clocking 1:15.21.

With those victories, both Tabal and Dueñas earned slots to the National Finals slated Dec. 8 in Manila.

Last year, Tabal placed fourth in the overall 42k race in the Nationals but emerged as the best in the local race.

“I’ll resume my training as soon as possible so that I’ll be more prepared for the national finals,” Tabal said. “I consider the national finals as the toughest challenge I’m going to face this year.”

But before she earned a spot to the Nationals, Tabal said she had to battle against her losing confidence going into the Cebu leg, something unusual for a multi-titled runner like her. But her championship poise eventually took over once the race started.

“At first I was kind of doubtful. But after the gun start, I motivated myself and erased all the doubts in my head and focused on the race,” Tabal said.

So focused was Tabal in the race that she was actually 16 ahead of her closest pursuer Christy Sevilleno, who finished second with a time of 1:40.55. Sandra Soliano placed third with a time of 1:43.18.

FIFTH ATTEMPT

While Tabal had to overcome some doubt before the race, Dueñas had to battle with pain from his blisters during his run. Still, he managed to break away midway through the race and hold off veteran runner Bonifacio Monjas to finally emerge the winner after five failed attempts.

Monjas settled for second place with a time of 1:16.30 while Argie Tillor rounded off the top three with a time of 1:19.54.

“I decided to give my all in this race because this kind of opportunity is rare,” Dueñas said. “That’s why I did not let this slip away.”

But Dueñas said he is not sure if he can join Tabal in the 42k race in Manila since he is set to compete in a triathlon event on Dec. 1. But he said he is confident Tabal can win the race on her own. “Mary Joy has matured and grown to become a champion. She can handle herself well. She showed it today when she ran without an escort and that makes me really proud,” said the coach.

Kenyan Isaac Simat (33:54) emerged the fastest in the 10k race while Mary Jane Beboso (44:47) won in the distaff side.

John Cliff Debulosan topped the 5k race with a time of 16:51 while Lovely Fe Andrin ruled the women’s race with a time of 19:55.

Dave Anthoun Lungcob (11:47) and Cherry Andrin (11:21) ruled the 3k race.

Cebu Technological University (CTU) was awarded the biggest delegation with 3,002 participants while the Cebu City Central School, University of San Carlos (USC) and University of the Visayas (UV) topped the cheerdance competition in the elementary, secondary and collegiate divisions, respectively.