TABAL
Cebu’s Marathon Queen Mary Joy Tabal fell short in her bid to qualify for the Rio Olympics but still put up an inspiring performance in her first-ever run in the 2016 Boston Marathon on Monday (Tuesday Philippine Time) in the US.
The 26-year-old Tabal finished 21st in the elite female category and 34th in the overall race but was four minutes shy of the Olympic qualifying time of 2:45.00. She finished with a time of two hours, 49 minutes and one second.
According to Tabal, she suffered severe cramps moments after passing the 23-kilometer mark, which is known to Boston Marathon veterans as the “Heart Break Hills.”
“It was really painful and I was really tempted to stop but I kept telling myself that I won’t stop because I’ve gone this far. Not this time,” Tabal said.
Tabal, who got a chance to join the Boston Marathon after winning the National Milo Marathon for the third straight time last December, turned to divine intervention from that point on.
“I was just praying and crying at the same time because the pain was unbearable. A marshal approached me more than once and asked me to stop at the medical tent but I refused and continued the run. I never stopped in a single race my entire life so I told myself not this time,” Tabal said. “Thank God I managed to finish the race.”
‘DREAM DOESN’T STOP HERE’
Despite her gutsy performance, Tabal of the Motorace Racing Team said she felt bad she wasn’t able to accomplish her goal, which was to qualify for the Rio Summer Games.
But she still feels positive, especially after receiving inspiring messages from her Cebuano supporters in her social media accounts.
“I will still try. My dream doesn’t stop here. No matter how painful it will be I will keep on going until I reach my dreams,” said Tabal.
According to her trainer John Philip Dueñas, who is now in Manila to attend a sports science seminar, he and the Motorace Racing Team are already planning to find another Olympic qualifying race for Tabal.
“The submission for the Olympics is still up until July so there’s still a chance,” Dueñas said. “But first we have to assess Joy’s condition before we proceed.”
Motorace Philippines Inc. President Jonel Mendoza said he couldn’t be any prouder for the Cebuana marathoner.
“The Boston Marathon has a very technical racecourse that might have slowed her down but we will not waver. Motorace Philippines and Kawasaki will continue to support Tabal.”
Meanwhile, Rafael Poliquit, the other Filipino who joined the race, finished 2:47.16 to land in the 277th spot in the male age group division. He finished 323rd in the overall race.