Making a strong case for inclusion in the national athletic pool, University of the Philippines’ Juliana Talaro clocked a personal best en route to her third consecutive victory in the women’s 10,000-meter walk early Thursday morning at the ICTSI Philippine Athletics Championships, held at the New Clark City Athletic Stadium in Capas, Tarlac.
In a gripping daybreak duel with University of Santo Tomas’ Azeneth Serat, Talaro found her second wind and broke away in the final 200 meters to win her signature event by a wide margin. She finished with a time of 55 minutes and 57.21 seconds, ahead of Serat’s 56:51.95, in the meet organized by the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association.
University of the East’s Sep Placido completed the podium with a time of 57:59.90 in the opening event of the competition, which is supported by the ICTSI Foundation, Inc., CEL Logistics, United Auctioneers Inc., Milo Philippines, and Pocari Sweat.
Meanwhile, in a friendly rivalry in the men’s Under-18 5,000-meter walk, Muntinlupa’s Wenniel Simba edged out teammate and defending champion Rain Mabeling. Simba crossed the line in 27:27.04, narrowly beating Mabeling’s 27:29.95.
Jaycee Reyes of Biñan finished a distant third at 27:52.94. The meet also serves as a qualifying event for the country’s representatives to the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand this December and the Asian Youth Games in Manama, Bahrain this October. The competition is also backed by the Philippine Sports Commission, Clark Water, and Masiv Sports.
In the afternoon session, as expected, Paris-bound Olympian Lauren Hoffman and former Asian champion Robyn Brown cruised through their respective heats in the women’s 400-meter hurdles, setting up a highly anticipated clash for the finals later in the evening. The event is also supported by the Bases Conversion and Development Authority–New Clark City.
“Sabi ko po kapag humiwalay ako, kailangan akong dumikit pa rin (kay Serat) para hindi siya makalayo,” said Talaro, a graduating BS Physical Education student at UP Diliman, recalling her strategic duel with Serat.
“Nakakuha ako ng second wind ko sa last five laps,” she added.
Talaro first won the event in 2023, when the National Open—how the meet is widely known—was held in Ilagan, Isabela. “Hopefully, makasama na po ako sa national pool.”
Serat, who set the early pace and was still leading until she faded in the backstretch, admitted she struggled to cope with the heat and Talaro’s surging pace in the latter stages of the race.
“Napagod na po ako dahil sa sobrang init. Hindi po ako masyadong sanay. Nagkulang po ako ng endurance,” said Serat, a sophomore PE student from UST.
For Mabeling, the defeat in the U18 category came with grace.
“Okay lang na ibigay ko ang korona kay Wenniel since magkaibigan naman kami,” said the 17-year-old, who won the same event at the 2024 edition held at the Philsports track oval in Pasig City.
Also expected to compete on Friday are two-time Southeast Asian Games men’s shot put champion Willie Morrison and Fil-Am pole vaulter Elijah Cole.
