By REYNALD MAGALLON
CAPAS, Tarlac – University of the Philippines Diliman stalwart Juliana Talaro made the 10,000-meter walk look like a walk in the park to win the first gold in the ICTSI Philippine Athletics Championships on a hot and humid Wednesday morning, May 1 at the New Clark City Stadium here.
She clocked 55 minutes and 57.21 seconds to rule the event for the third time since the Ilagan City edition two years ago.
While she continued to dominate the event, her victory was without difficulty this time due to the oppressive heat.
Unlike in her two previous races where it was usually scheduled in the evening, the 10,000m walk was done in the morning when the temperature was only starting to rise.
“Mas mahirap po ngayon kasi sobrang init,” said Talaro, still drenched in sweat after the race.
“Tapos mas malakas po talaga ako ng hapon at ng gabi. Lumalabas din po yung lakas ko doon. And then, mas malamig din po kasi. Mas gising yung diwa po kapag hapon siya,” she added.
Still her time was better than the previous edition where she clocked around 59 minutes although she stressed that that would not be possible, if not for her training routine where she purposely exposed herself to the environmental conditions of the race.
“Sinanay ko po talaga yung sarili ko sa umaga. Tapos nagbibilad po kami hanggang 9am kaya rin po sighuro medyo nasanay na sa init,” she added.
Azeneth Serat from University of the Santo Tomas came in second with a 56:51.91 time while Sep Blessee Placido from University of the East placed third with 57:59.90.
Serat actually led for the majority of the race before Talaro took off in the last 2,500 meters to bag the win.
“Sabi ko last 5 laps na lang po naman. Tapos ayoko nang bumitaw. Pero nilapitan ko pa rin po. Sinubukan ko pwede dumikit pa rin kahit mga 50 meters lang. And then, nag-recover po ako sabay po. Tapos ako naka-recover, last 2 laps po,” recalled Talaro.
Also bagging the gold medal in the other morning races was Wenniel Simba in the men’s u18 5000m walk with a 27:27.04 time.
He bested Muntinlupa Athletics teammate Rain Mabelin, who placed second with a 27:29.04 time, and City of Binan trackster John Jaycee Reyes who secured the third spot in 27:52.24 time.
