Kenyans blitz past Pinoys in 1st QC Int'l Marathon

Text By Michael Angelo Jugado, Ponciano Bernardo HS

Photos by Marc Cleo Salayo, Sauyo HS

With the country's top runners and their fancied foreign rivals vying to bring home pride and honor in a milestone for Quezon City, perennial marathon powerhouse Kenya flexed its muscles and simply dominated.

In a fast-growing trend in international marathons, runners from the poverty-struck African country overpowered its foes and stole the limelight over their gritty Pinoy opponents, running as though there was no tomorrow and sprinting their way to victory in the eventful 1st Quezon City International Marathon in a festive Quezon City Memorial Circle this morning.

Hillary Kipmutai Kipchumba, running his first full marathon, emerged as champion in the centerpiece 42.195km run, leading three other countrymen into a 1-2-3-4 finish, with a rather slow two hours, 30 minutes and eight seconds time in the event to commemorate QC's 70th founding anniversary.

“I really trained hard for this race, although I did not expect to win it,” said the 22-year-old native of Kaptagat Eldoret, a breeding ground for runners 100 miles east of Nairobi. Kipchumba bagged a trophy and Php 300, 000.00.

Samuel Tarus Too and Daniel Chirchir placed second and third after clocking in at 2:30:36, and 2:30:49, respectively.

Highly-favored Daniel Koringo failed to land a slot in the podium after sustaining a hamstring injury in the twilight zone of the race. He finished fourth in the meet sponsored by San Miguel Corporation, Philippine Star, GMA, New San Jose Builders, Nike, Timex, Fitness First, Sun Cellular, 100 plus, Maxima Industries, Ayala Land, Robinsons Land, and Shoemart.

Cresenciano Sabal carried the flag for the local bets after finishing fifth to follow-up on his victory in the 33rd National Milo Marathon exactly a week ago. Milo queen Cristabel Martes, in the middle of a brewing controversy with the Philippine Amateur Athletics Federation, was conspicuously absent.

The race drew around 6, 000 runners from no less than six countries.

In the para-wheel 21k, Cesar Mojia copped 1st place, defying physical odds.

"I went here to enjoy and to prove that disability doesn't make you less of a person," said the quadriplegic.