New Queen: Hallasgo dethrones Tabal in Milo Marathon

FILE – SISTERS IN GLORY. Gold for Christine Hallasgo (left) and silver for fellow Filipino marathoner Mary Joy Tabal in the women’s marathon event in the 30th Southeast Asian Games in New Clark City on Friday. MARIANNE BERMUDEZ/INQUIRER

MANILA, Philippines—Jerald Zabala and Christine Hallasgo ruled their respective tracks to claim the gold medals in the Milo Marathon National Finals King and Queen Sunday at Tarlac Plazuela.

Zabala improved from his runner-up finish in last year’s race to become the fastest man in this edition, clocking 2:31:16 to edge Richard Salaño in a photo finish. Salaño crossed the finish line just a second later.

Jeson Agravante took the bronze medal at 2:31:55.

“I wasn’t really afraid of the race, I was more afraid because there were a lot of spectators and I was surprised because this is my first Milo Marathon King,” said Zabala in Filipino with a laugh.

Zabala, who competed in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games, said he trained for a month to prepare for the Milo race.

“After the SEA Games, I went home to Mindanao to train because I want to fulfill my dream,” said the 31-year-old Zabala who hails from Cagayan de Oro.

Hallasgo, meanwhile, emerged as the queen of the field and dethroned Mary Joy Tabal, whose seven-year reign ended.

The 2019 SEA Games gold medalist clocked in with a time of 2:52:23 while Tabal, the silver medalist in the female marathon during the SEA Games, came in at second at 2:58:49.

Christabel Martes finished in third at 3:05:40.

“I never expected that I would beat Joy Tabal because she’s my idol,” said Hallasgo in Filipino. “I just kept a positive mindset and whatever happens I’d give it my all.”

Hallasgo and Zabala both bagged P150,000 in cash prizes.