Region 8 athletics bet Chrisia Tajarros claims first gold in 2025 Palarong Pambansa

LAOAG - Eastern Visayas representative Chrisia Mae Tajarros completed her redemption tour after ruling the 3000m secondary girls finals of the 2025 Palarong Pambansa on Monday at the Ferdinand E. Marcos Memorial Stadium in Laoag, Ilocos Norte.

The 13-year-old runner dominated right from the get-go to bag the first gold in the Palaro and turn her silver medal outing last year to a gold plum this time around as she clocked 10:18.6 in the race.

Tajarros, a Grade 9 student at the Tanauan National High School in Leyte, finished second in the 2024 edition behind then gold medalist Asia Paraase of Lapu-Lapu City.

Meanwhile, Mary Mae Magbanua of Caraga region claimed the silver medal with a time of 10:48.4 while hometown bet Nathalei Miguel of Ilocos region bagged the bronze after finishing the run in 10 minutes and 50.4 seconds.

"Naiiyak po ako kasi nakuha ko po 'yung gold, hindi po nasayang 'yung training," an emotional Tajarros told reporters after reigning supreme in the 28-woman field.

"Nagpapasalamat po ako kay God kasi narinig niya po 'yung panalangin ko at 'yung mga sacrifices ko sa training. Minsan po kasi sa training naiiyak rin po ako pero ginagawa ko po 'yun na motivation para makuha 'yung gintong medalya sa Palarong Pambansa."

Tajarros' head coach Damaso Oledan Jr., a former boxer and long distance runner, expressed pride in seeing his ward achieve what they have been preparing for since last year.

"Happy na happy po kami. Hindi nasayang 'yung dalawang beses na training sa isang araw kahit umulan o umaraw. Sabi ko lang sa kanya, kung ano man 'yung makukuha natin ngayon, okay lang," Olidan told GMA News Online.

"Dati nanghinayang siya kasi silver medal lang siya last year." —KG, GMA Integrated News