CAPAS, Phiippines – Christine Hallasgo scored a major upset against fellow Philippine bet Mary Joy Tabal to capture the 2019 Southeast Asian Games women’s marathon crown on Friday, December 6, at the New Clark City Sports Complex here in Tarlac. 

Hallasgo, a native of Malaybalay City in Bukidnon province, pulled away in the final stretch to edge Tabal, the country’s marathon queen who had hoped for back-to-back golds after dominating the Games’ 2017 edition in Kuala Lumpur.

Ruling right on her debut, Hallasgo conquered the 42-kilometer race in 2 hours, 56 minutes and 56 seconds.

Tabal, who fainted at the finish line, settled for a silver with a 2:58:49 clocking –  a whopping 15 minutes off her personal best of 2:43:31

“It’s amazing. I can’t believe it,” said Hallasgo after her surprise win. “Hindi ko kasi in-expect na ako mananalo. Basta kinondisyon ko ang katawan ko para hindi ako maiwan.”

(I didn’t expect to win. I just conditioned myself for the race so I could keep up.)

Tabal was stretchered off the tracks and quickly tended by medics after finishing over 2 minutes behind Hallasgo, who only joined a full marathon last year. 

The Cebuana Tabal was leading the race until Hallasgo caught up with her when they both crossed the 30km mark in 2:06:90.

In the men’s side, Philippine bets Jerald Zabala (2:37:20) and Anthony Nerza (2:39:28) finished 5th and 6th, respectively.

Indonesian Prayogo Agus ruled the men’s side with a time of 2:26:48, while Thailand’s Namkhet Sanchai (2:27:18) and Malaysia’s Mohamad Muhaizar (2:33:08) rounded out the podium finishers. – Rappler.com