Martes gold sets up duel vs Tabal

Christabel Martes summoned the old form that made her a household name in long-distance running to rule the women’s 10,000-meter run at the start of the 2017 Ayala Philippine National Open Invitational Athletics Championships Thursday.

The two-time Southeast Asian Games champion clocked 38 minutes and 40.52 seconds for the gold medal that propelled the Baguio runner to a possible comeback stint with the national team.

Jho-An Villarma of Philippine Army checked in almost two minutes behind the 37-year-old Martes (40:20.58) and Miscelle Gilbuena of Philippine Air Force claimed the bronze medal in 42:43.75 amid the searing heat at Ilagan City Sports Complex.

“I can still make the national team as long as I can sustain my training,” said Martes, who still holds the national record of 34:40.3 for women’s 10,000m that she set during the National Open in 2001. “It all depends on how I can maintain my conditioning.”

Her win puts her in the crosshairs of Rio de Janeiro Olympian Mary Joy Tabal, the country’s best chance for a gold in the SEA Games, for the right to represent the country in the event.

“I have a good chance to compete in the 42-kilometer event (women’s marathon) in the SEA Games given the right training and conditioning,” said Martes.

Martes pocketed the gold in the 2001 Kuala Lumpur and 2005 Manila SEA Games before calling it quits in 2009.

She’s been taking care of her 10-year-old daughter and running her baking business prior to this meet that serves as the qualifier for the Kuala Lumpur SEA Games slated in August.