Milo Marathon is where it all started, says Tabal

Milo officials give away shoes to underprivileged children during a press conference for the 40th National Milo Marathon at the Cebu Grand Hotel. In the photo are (from left) Milo VP for Sports Andrew Neri, Olympian Mary Joy Tabal, Cebu leg organizer Ricky Ballesteros, race director Rio dela Cruz of Run Rio Inc. and Milo Sports Executive Robbie de Vera (CDN PHOTO/CHRISTIAN MANINGO).

From the far-flung mountain barangay of Guba in Cebu City to Rio de Janeiro in Brazil for the 2016 Olympics.

This is how far Mary Joy Tabal has gone in her career as a marathoner.

Although she didn’t make a mark in the quadrennial meet, Tabal’s stint in the Games has made her one of the more noted athletes in the country, being the first Filipina to compete in women’s marathon. And she has the National Milo Marathon to thank for this.

“Milo Marathon will always have a special place in my heart because this is the race where it all started,” Tabal said in the launching of the 40th National Milo Marathon-Cebu Leg yesterday at the Cebu Grand Hotel. “This race opened up the possibilities. This is my stepping stone to becoming a champion and an Olympian.”

Tabal first tasted victory in 2010 when she topped the Cebu leg but she faltered in the national finals with Floredeliza Donos emerging as the champion.

She bounced back and won the nationals for three straight years from 2013 to 2015, giving her more than enough exposure to be able to compete in prestigious marathons abroad such as the Paris Marathon, LA Marathon and the Boston Marathon.

Her stints abroad then opened the door for her Olympic dream.

Andrew Neri, Milo Sports Executive, said around 30 percent of the current Filipino Olympians actually started their dreams by competing in either the Milo Little Olympics or the Milo Marathon. This is the reason why they aren’t slowing and are continuing to work hard to develop future champions and Olympians. And now they’re getting help from Tabal.

“We always invite her because she represents Milo. Like Milo’s slogan ‘Great Things Starts from Small Beginnings.’ Tabal started in Milo and look at her now, she reached her Olympic dreams and she is not stopping. I really thank her for being an inspiration to everyone and I hope and pray she’ll be able to compete in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics,” said Neri.

Present yesterday were Cebu leg organizer Ricky Ballesteros, race director Rio dela Cruz of Run Rio and Milo Sports Executive Robbie De Vera.

This year’s edition of the race is slated tomorrow.