FIVE runners from Cebu will represent the country in the 23rd Jeju International Tourism Marathon Festival in Jeju Island, South Korea on May 27.
Rafael Pescos, Mary Joy Tabal, Lizane Abella, Prince Joey Lee, and Ruffa Sorongon received this as an incentive for making it to the overall Top 3 in the 7-Eleven Run Series.
The 7-Eleven Run Series was held simultaneously in Cebu, Manila and Davao last Feb. 4. Runners with the best times in the 42K and 21K categories were chosen to join the South Korea race.
Pescos was the overall champion in men’s 42K race. Joining him in the Top 3 are Richel Languido and Bryan Quiamco, who both ran in the Davao leg.
Abella was also the overall champion in the 42K women’s division, while Maricar Camacho led the Manila leg and Judelyn Miranda won in Davao.
Tabal, the 29th Southeast Asian (Sea) Games gold medalist, had the best time in the women’s 21K followed by Christabel Martes of Manila and Sorongon.
The fifth runner from Cebu is Prince Joey Lee, who was second overall in the men’s 21K behind Richard Salano from Manila. Jerald Zabala from Davao leg was third.
Tabal confirmed that she will be able to participate in the Jeju International Tourism Marathon despite her training in the Tuscany Training Camp in Italy.
The 28-year-old Tabal will train in Italy for the 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia.
“I have talked to the organizers of the 7-Eleven Run and they have promised to give me a round-trip ticket from Italy to South Korea. I will make it for the race and will compete in the 21K only,” she said.
Meanwhile, this will be his second time for Pescos to clinch the incentive for the 7-Eleven Run Series. The first time was at the Danang International Marathon in Vietnam, where he finished second last year. (RSC)