BANGKOK—Heart and grit defined the Philippines’ performance in the 42-kilometer marathon of the 33rd SEA Games at the Happy and Healthy Bike Lane here on Monday, as one familiar face and one rising star rose to the occasion.
Veteran runner Arlan Arbois and debutant Artjoy Torregosa led the Philippines’ campaign, each securing a silver medal in their respective divisions.
An emotional Arbois posted a time of 2:30:19, finishing 2 minutes and 46 seconds behind Indonesia’s Robi Sylanturf, who clocked 2:27:33 for the gold.
Fellow Filipino Richard Salano also reached the podium, claiming the bronze medal with a time of 2:31:29.
“Super happy talaga. Kasi, pag-start kanina, sabi ko titiisin ko talaga ito para sa mga kababayan ko na nanonood. Kaya nagpapasalamat talaga ako sa kanila dahil sa kanila ako kumukuha ng lakas,” said the-26-year-old Arbois
“Bawat hakbang ng mga paa ko kanina, iniisip ko talaga ang bawat Pilipino na nanonood dito. Sabi ko, ang Pilipinas hindi talaga magpapatalo sa marathon. Kaya grabe ‘yung tiis ko na mahabol ko ‘yung pangalawa kanina. Kaya na-secure pa rin namin ang second and third place sa marathon,” added Arbois
“Malayo po hinabol namin, dahil sa 30 kilometers ko na po nahabol ‘yung isang Indonesian na pangalawa kanina. Kaya nu’ng nahabol ko na siya, maraming iyak ko na. Last 2 kilometers umiiyak ako, habang tumatakbo sabi ko, sa akin talaga ito. Kaya nagpapasalamat talaga ako,” he said.
In the women’s division, Torregosa clocked 2:48:00 as she finished 4 minutes and 47 seconds behind Indonesia’s Odekta Elvina Naibeho, who won the gold with a time of 2:43:13.
Vietnam’s Thi Thu Ha Bu captured the bronze medal, while Filipino runner Christine Hallasgo placed fourth with 2:57:22.
“Hindi ko po talaga in-expect. Kaya ‘yung ginawa ko po nag-placing lang po talaga ako. Ginamit ko po ‘yung training namin kasi sa NCC (New Clark City). Tapos ‘yung long run po namin, parang uphill po lahat. Kaya dito ko po in-apply,” said Torregosa.
