BOSTON, Massachusetts – Matikas na tinapos nina Pinoy marathon King and Queen Rafael Poliquit, Jr at Mary Joy Tabal ang makasysayang 120th Boston Marathon nitong Linggo (Lunes sa Manila).
Nakibahagi ang dalawang pamosong marathoner sa pinakamalaki at prestihiyosong torneo bilang premyo sa kanilang pagwawagi sa 39th National MILO Marathon sa nakalipas na taon.
Kabilang sina Poliquit at Tabal sa 32,000 runners mula sa iba’t ibang panig ng mundo na nakiisa sa torneo na higit na naging makabuluhan matapos ipagdiwang ang ikatlong taon ng anibersaryo ng pagatake ng terorista sa Boston Marathon.
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Nailista ni Tabal ang tiyempong 2:49:01, para tumapos sa ika-20 puwesto sa female age group na kanyang nilahukan. Sa kabuuan ng elite category, tumapos ang 27-anyos na si Tabal sa ika-21 puwesto.
“To be honest, I am really disappointed with my performance because I could have done so much better. I felt that I prepared myself well, and I was very positive, but I started feeling cramps in my quads afterthe first half. The pain was getting worse that I was about to stop, even the marshalls wanted me to stop,” pahayag ni Tabal, Southeast Asian Games silver medalist.
“But I never stopped a race in my entire life and I didn’t want to stop, so I persevered and prayed for the pain to go away. I kept on telling myself that I can still do it and I have to finish the race despite what I’m feeling. I am very happy to finish it even if I did not hit my goal.”
“Everything happens for a reason. I am at the stage of overcoming this pain I’m feeling, but I will be back soon, I will get up and try again,” aniya.
Naitala naman ni Poliquit ang tiyempong 2:47:16, at pumuwesto sa ika-277 sa kanyang age group category at ika-323 sa overall elite male group.
“It was really difficult to climb the Heartbreak Hills, and unfortunately I was unable to maintain my pace in the second half. I decided to slow down to avoid completely dropping out of the race,” pahayag ni Poliquit.
“I did not want to waste my opportunity of representing the Philippines here so I willed myself to do my best and finish the race, no matter what my result is. When I crossed the finish line, I thanked God for helping me overcome the pain to achieve this,” aniya.
