SEASONED marathoners Jerald Zabala of Cagayan de Oro City and April Rose Diaz of General Santos City clinched the 42K titles at the 7-Eleven Run 2025 Davao held in an out-and-back course at the open grounds of SM City Davao on Sunday, February 2, 2025.
Zabala, a 36-year-old native of Lanao del Sur, finally earned the men's 42K championship after three previous near-misses—finishing second and third in past editions. He crossed the finish line in 2:34:45, edging out Bryan Quiamco (2:34:49) and Joerge Adrade (2:37:07).
Reflecting on his narrow victory, Zabala explained in a Messenger interview with SunStar on February 3, 2025, "Four seconds lang gyud ang biya nako sa nag-second. Naa ko sa iyang likod pa ato niya tong paliko na sa finish line pero murag nilahos ata sya gamay bantug naunhan nako sya. Sya bya gyud tong nag-una (I was only four seconds behind the runner-up. I was right on his tail when he took a turn at the finish line, but it seemed like he went off track a bit, so I managed to overtake him. He really was leading at that moment)," Zabala said in a Messenger interview with SunStar on Monday, February 3, 2025.
Zabala added that his rigorous training paid off, despite not expecting to win against such a strong elite field.
"Nalipay ko kay first pa nako mag-champion sa 42K sa 7-Eleven. Nalipay ko nga makabalik napud ko sa international race (I'm happy because this is my first time winning the 42K championship at the 7-Eleven race. I'm also glad to be competing in an international race again)," he added. Zabala has previously competed in events in Thailand, South Korea, and Vietnam.
In the women's 42K, April Rose Diaz finished in 3:17:45, beating Rosalyn Tadlas (3:18:34) and Kareen Limas (3:49:11).
Meanwhile, Jimboy Lugay won the men's 32K with a time of 1:54:23, surpassing Richgie Dala (1:57:49) and Bobby Tadlas (1:58:47). In the women's 32K, Jocelyn Elijeran dominated with a time of 2:27:25, ahead of Leedy Erika Villamonte (2:31:20) and Julie Mae Jaylo (2:39:32).
The 21K races were won by Corsino Satinitigan and Bukidnon’s Christine Hallasgo. Satinitigan clocked 1:12:08 in the men's race, finishing ahead of Rico Jay Patanao (1:13:04) and Cronnie Melliza (1:13:38). In the women's 21K, Hallasgo, a former SEA Games marathon champion, recorded a time of 1:24:22, outpacing May Angelie Mag-aso (1:46:36) and Joanna Marie Cruz (1:52:00).
Notably, Zabala, Diaz, Rosalyn Tadlas, and Hallasgo are among the top 18 all-Filipino qualifiers who will represent the country in an upcoming international race. MLSA
