ON A rainy Sunday morning, veteran runner Cristabelle Martes was a ray of sunshine, winning the first ever gold medal in the Philippine National Games in the Cebu City Sports Center.
Martes of Baguio City topped the women’s 10K in 40 mins, 11.5 seconds. She was followed by Cebu City’s Ruffa Sorongon and Sandi Menchie Abahan of Baguio City in 44:31.3
The former national team member Martes, 38, said that although she failed to top her best time, she is satisfied with her performance during the rain-drenched race.
Martes admitted she was worried when her calf muscles started aching midway into the race. She said she decided to fight through it and finish.
Despite not being a member of the national team, she still manages to train and finds time to join national races while raising her daughter Maryam Sophie.
She says it’s it’s a big challenge training and being a mom but her daughter is her inspiration.
She has also been coaching in Baguio for almost 5 years.
She is hoping to win more medals when she takes part in the 5K and the 1,500K in the coming days.
Martes will be flying to Korea this Sunday, where she is expected to be joined by Ruffa Sorongon and Olympian Mary Joy Tabal. (Yvonne Inosante)