BY NICK GIONGCO
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CAPAS, Tarlac – The torch may have been passed Friday when Christine Hallasgo dethroned Mary Joy Tabal in the women’s marathon event of the 30th Southeast Asian Games.
Hallasgo, who entered the race without much fanfare, clocked two hours, 56 minutes and 56 seconds in winning the 42.195-kilometer event staged in the roads around the New Clark City.
Tabal, the undisputed queen of marathon and a seasoned internationalist, having been the country’s first female competitor in the Olympics, passed out after crossing the finish in 2:58.49.
Tabal, 31, had to be stretchered out of the track for treatment at a medical facility but emerged without any serious issues.
Hallasgo, 27, told scribes after the race that she was totally surprised over the sudden turn of events, admitting that she was only playing second fiddle to Tabal and the rest.
“Talagang hindi ko expected na manalo dito, first time ko po sa SEA Games,” said Hallasgo, stressing that she badly wanted to give host Philippines a great start in the opening of the athletics competitions.
“Talagang pinagbutihan namin para makakuha ng ginto sa opening day.
Marami kaming entry sa athletics kaya ayoko na mahuli kami,” added the SEAG first-timer from Malaybalay, Bukindon.
Vietnam’s 21-year-old Pham Thi Hong Le got the bronze with a time of 3:02.52
Tabal entered the race fresh from spending three months in an ultra-modern facility in Yokohama, Japan.
Unlike Tabal, Hallasgo stayed behind with fellow low-profile national team mainstays in Lingayen, Pangasinan, starting Sept. 1 until they all made the lonely trek here.
In the men’s side, the two Filipino bets – Jerald Zabala and Anthony Nerza—wound up fifth and sixth behind Indonesia winner Prayogo Agus.
The marathon events signaled the start of competitions in medal-rich athletics, where the host country is aiming to win 6 of the 45 gold medals at stake.
