CEBU’S running pride Mary Joy Tabal added yet another feather on her cap after winning the women’s 21-kilometer race of the 23rd Jeju International Tourism Marathon Festival in the Gujwa Life Sports Park in Jeju Island, South Korea yesterday.
The 28-year-old Olympian finished the race in 1 hour, 18 minutes, and 44 minutes to win the women’s 21K title, which Tabal called a confidence-booster for her preparation in the 2018 Asian Games.
“I have gained more confidence in this race. Overall I’m happy with my performance even if I did not break my personal best,” said Tabal, who’s currently in the second month of her Asian Games training.
Tabal said that the uphill part of the race was one of the challenges.
“The race served as an evaluation for me. It’s a good warm-up for the Asian Games. I have more or less three months to go before Asian. I know I have things to improve,” added Tabal.
Tabal will be flying back to Italy to continue her training in the Tuscany Training Camp. She will start her high-altitude training in Monte Amiata.
Tabal will compete in her first 2018 Asian Games on Aug. 18 to Sept. 2 in Indonesia. She will be racing in the women’s 42K.
Cebu’s Ruffa Sorongon, meanwhile, placed fourth in the women’s 21K after clocking 1:30:06 and Prince Joey Lee was also in fourth place in the men’s 21K with a time of 1:14:44. (RSC)