Filipino marathoners shine in Tokyo

Two new national marathon records were broken at the Tokyo Marathon Sunday as five Filipinos met the qualifying time for the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan.

2023 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games silver medalist Sonny Wagdos reset the national men’s marathon record after he clocked in two hours, 14 minutes and 37 for a 58th overall finish.

The previous record was held by former SEA Games gold medalist and national team coach Eduardo Buenavista, who clocked in 2:18:44 in February 2024 at the Beppu-Oita Marathon.

Wagdos, 32, is also eligible to compete at the 20th Asiad with the national men’s qualifying standard set at 2:30:00 hours.

“This marathon, I made a new national record is dedicated to my coach Eduardo Buenavista. Thank you for your sacrifices,” Wagdos posted on social media.

Also hitting the qualifying standard is Richard Salano, who clocked in 2:15:08 while Arlan Arbois Jr. tallied 2:19:56.

Artjoy Torregosa also set a new record in the Tokyo Marathon, clocking in 2:33:48 hours as she finished 26th overall in the women’s class.

She erased the previous time of 2:43:31, which was set by Olympian Mary Joy Tabal in 2016.

SEA Games gold medalist Christine Hallasgo clocked in 2:42:00 hours and is also in consideration for competing in the Asiad as the national standard for women stands at 2:45:00.

The Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association is verifying the times as of writing.