THE running pride of Cebu Mary Joy Tabal eyes to join two events in the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, which will be hosted by the Philippines on Nov. 30 to Dec. 11.
The reigning gold medalist in the women’s full marathon Tabal is also considering joining the half-marathon race, according to her long-time trainer and national team coach John Philip Dueñas.
Everything though is not yet final, as Tabal and Dueñas will need to ask permission from the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (Patafa), the governing body for track and field in the country.
“The Patafa has opened a slot for the 21K in the SEA Games. We will be asking them if we could join it. I think Joy (Tabal) has the chance to join both the 42K and 21K categories,” Dueñas told SunStar Cebu on Tuesday, Jan. 22.
The 29th SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia two years ago only had the full marathon distance. The host county has the right to add certain sporting events for the biennial meet, thus the inclusion of the half-marathon.
Dueñas noted that interval days between the full marathon and half marathon races is important to give the athlete the right time to recover.
“At least four days interval of the competition date that would be possible for us to join both events,” said Dueñas, adding that they hope that the schedule will be the half-marathon first followed by the full marathon.
Dueñas said they will put more focus on the half-marathon this year to further develop Tabal’s speed, preparing her for the Olympic qualifying race.
Tabal, 29, of Motor Ace Kawasaki Racing Team, won the gold medal in the 29th SEA Games, a year after becoming the first Filipina marathoner to finish a marathon in the Olympics. (RSC)