Tabal leads Cebu Milo race field

CEBU CITY—Mary Joy Tabal will lead the estimated 25,000 runners competing in the 37th Milo Marathon qualifying leg here as she defends her title in the race that will start in front of Cebu Normal College and end at Cebu City Sports Center.

The 24-year-old Tabal ruled last year’s 21-kilometer race in one hour, 26 minutes and 56 seconds.  In the National Finals, she placed first in the 42K local female category with a time of 3:05:12.

The 21K race will begin at 4:30 a.m. followed by the 10K, 5K and 3K races after every 30 minutes.

There are 360 finalists so far after eight qualifying legs—all 21K races except the Metro Manila 42K event held July 28 at Mall of Asia grounds in Pasay City.

The top Filipino finishers in the Dec. 8 finals will represent the Philippines in the 2014 Paris Marathon.

Junel Languido ruled the male division here last year in 1:11:56 and was seventh overall in the National Finals’ 42K local category.

“We are happy to know that we will surpass last year’s turnout of 21,697, the largest number of runners outside Metro Manila this year,” said regional organizer Ricky Ballesteros.