Poliquit, Tabal still Milo’s ‘King’ and ‘Queen’

ANGELES CITY — Not even a change of route and a little amount of rain could stop two familiar faces from coming in and conquering the 39th Milo National Marathon like they did last year.

Once again it was Raphael Poliquit and Mary Joy Tabal who emerged as the King and Queen of the annual running festivities which started at the break of dawn.

It was the first time that Milo decided to put its national finals outside of Metro Manila – and as beautiful as this city was, it was definitely one tricky route for both running heroes to conquer.

But that didn’t alter the results, however, as Tabal became just the first woman to win the marathon for three straight years as she negotiated the 42-kilometer contest in two hours, 48 minutes and 24 seconds – 13 minutes and 57 seconds faster than her closest pursuer in Mary Grace delos Santos (3:02:21).

Poliquit also claimed his second straight Marathon title but not after surviving the spirited challenge of Juneil Laguindo.

He clocked 2:36:12, just nine seconds better than Laguindo (2:36:21).

Both runners will be representing the country in the prestigious Boston Marathon in April 2016.

Had it not for the rains and the unfamiliar terrain, Tabal would have been in a good position to at least match her own personal record of two hours and 48 minutes flat.

“Sobrang saya ko nung nag-cross ako sa finish line, naiyak pa nga ako eh. grabe ang pressure kasi back to back ako,” said Tabal. “Dun sa maulan na part, dun ko nafeel na bumigay paa ko. Pace ko bumagal. Nagdouble ako ng effort para makuha ulit yung pacing ko.”

Now Tabal sets his sights on improving his pace better as she shoots for a spot in the Rio Olympics. The qualifying time for the Olympics is set at two hours and 42 minutes flat, six minutes ahead of her best time.

But with still months to spare in preparation, the newest running hero may very well unfold through our very eyes.