Tabal sets sights on 2nd Milo title, Tokyo 42K slot

Reigning Milo Marathon Queen Mary Joy Tabal led 34 other qualifiers in yesterday’s Butuan qualifier of the 38th Milo Marathon which lured nearly 10,000 participants.

Tabal clocked 1 hour, 20 minutes and 46 seconds in topping the 21-kilometer distaff side.  The 24-year-old Cebu native took home P10,000 and a chance to compete in the 2015 Tokyo Marathon if she tops the 42K national finals anew.

Michelle Ann Aclo placed second in 1:42:30 while Jennifer Paloma was third in 1:44:05.  Both also booked finals slots.

Gerald Zabala topped the male division in 1:13:49 and, along with runners-up Bobby Tadlas (1:14:00) and Ramil Neri (1:15:09), will likewise race in the finals set Dec. 7 at Mall of Asia grounds in Pasay.

John Philip Dueñas, Tabal’s coach, wound up fourth in 1:16:36 and is among the 35 qualifiers.

By virtue of her triumph last year, Tabal is already assured of a finals berth.  The 24-year-old holds the fastest winning time in the female division at 2:48:00..

“I really want to run in the Tokyo marathon,” said Tabal, who is coming off a victory in a Seoul event where she clocked a personal-best of 1:19:37.

“My experience in the Paris marathon was amazing and I want to experience running in another top international marathon. Even if it was quite tough getting acclimatized to the weather, I was able to make it to the Top 20.”

Tabal crossed the Paris finish line in 2:57:28 and was 17th overall  in the women’s division.
It was a first victory for Zabala, the 26-year-old from Cagayan De Oro, who has consistently qualified to the finals in the 10 years that he has been joining Milo races.

The next qualifying race will be held in Cagayan De Oro  on Nov. 9.  Romina S. Austria