UP walker bags 1st gold at National Open

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.

- By REYNA D MAGA ON

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.