YOUNG and aspiring runners who competed in yesterday's 2016-2017 Smart Blue Knights Track League Season 3-PSC Weekly Relays received pieces of advice from the country's first Filipino marathoner Mary Joy Tabal of Davao City shortly after her debut in the 2016 Rio Olympics in Brazil.
Tabal and her long-time coach John Philip Dueñas graced the event held at the Ateneo de Davao University Fr. Martinez Sports Complex track oval in Matina, Davao City.
"Continue to train hard and never give up in spite of the challenges in life," Tabal, who ran with boys three-kilometer participants, said.
Tabal, in an interview with SunStar Davao, said she really anticipated to visit the event. Even before she competed in Rio she already committed to coach Airnel Abarra who have been inviting her to grace the trackfest.
"Ang akoang commitment kay ma-meet jud ang mga athletes sa Mindanao ug i-inspire sila (My commitment is to meet and inspire athletes of Mindanao)," Tabal said.
Tabal also lauded the organizers of the trackfest that provides a venue for local runners to improve their skills and gain exposure.
She added, "The more man gud nato sila ma-expose sa races and competition the more nila ma-gain ilang confidence and later on makakita silag lahi-lahi nga kontra nila, makita nila nga kailangan pa nila mu-grow ug mu-improve (The more they are exposed to competitions, the more they gain confidence in themselves. They get to see other athletes too and see areas where they could grow and improve)."
Meanwhile, she hopes to give her best and perform better in the upcoming Tokyo 2020 Olympics considering that she has gained some support especially from Motor Ace Philippines.
Tabal, who became emotional, also recalled how she got the walking papers from the Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association (Patafa).
"Dili jud ko happy pagkadawat atong e-mail bitaw, kay gikan pa gud kog Rio. Though ga-expect ko nga they will e-mail me before ko niadto sa Rio, kay amoang nasabutan kay we will sit down again with Patafa regarding their future plans for me and kung ganahan ba ko mupadayon as national team, pero ang wala nako nahibalan kay mag expire diay to akoang reinstatement on August 30 (I was sad when I got the e-mail after coming home from Rio although I expected they will write me before I left because we agreed we will sit down with Patafa about my running career as a national team member. However, I later found out my reinstatement to the national team was only until August 30)," Tabal said.
Dueñas, for his part, said it was painful for them, especially for his ward, since Patafa did not cite any reason in the e-mail on her discharge.
"Joy is still recovering kay psychologically affected jud siya sa mga panghitabo (She is still recovering having been affected psychologically)," Duenas said.
The free running clinic was being held as of Saturday after the morning events.