Kenyans dominate QC International Marathon

Just as expected, Kenyan runners dominated the 2nd Quezon City International Marathon. Led by Robert Kosgei and Richard Kemeli Kimboi, the Kenyans had a 1-2-3 finish in the men’s division of the full marathon event while Lydia Jerotich Rutto ruled the distaff side. Kosgei clocked at two hours, 23 minutes and 31 seconds, several seconds faster than Kimboi. Kimboi, who ruled the inaugural Camsur International Marathon, submitted a time of two hours, 23 minutes and 52 seconds for second place. Both runners surpassed the 2:33.55 record set by their countryman, Hillary Kipchumba, in the first staging of the event last year.

Kipchumba did not participate this year to defend his crown in this race organized by the Executive Runners Inc. (Runnex). Kenya’s dominant show wasn’t only a testament to how the East African nation's marathoners are worlds apart from our own long-distance runners. “Filipino runners must overhaul their training system in order to compete and win against world-class runners," said Kimboi, who offered to accommodate three Filipinos and train them in Kenya. “They can’t win against us," said Kimboi. “But what we can offer them is training. They should come to our country and train there." Kosgei pocketed the top prize of P250,000 while Kimboi went home P100,000 richer. Another Kenyan runner, Erick Kamaiyo, the oldest in their group at 41, placed third (2:33.55) and bagged the P50,000 prize. In the women’s category, Rutto also shattered the previous mark set by compatriot Doreen Kitaka. Rutto recorded two hours, 54 minutes and eight seconds in ruling the 42-K event, more than four minutes faster than the previous mark set by Kitaka (2:58.59). Two other Kenyan ladies made it to the podium — Florence Chepkurui (2:55.58), who placed second, and Zeddy Chepkoech (2:55.56), who checked in at third. As if those were not enough, the Kenyans also ruled the 21-K and 10-K events. Silas Gichom, winner of the Penang International Bridge Marathon 21-K event, topped the men’s side with a time of 1:16.45. Susan Terkeptai stamped her class in the women’s half marathon event (1:41.19). Titles in the men’s and women’s 10-K events went to Philip Ronoh (31:00) and Irine Kipchumpa (37.34), respectively. Eric Panique emerged as the highest placer among local bets. He made it to the Top 10 of the men’s full marathon after clocking 2:32.36. The Kenyans bagged the first nine places. In the women’s full marathon, Mischelle Gilbuena made it to seventh place with her time of 3:15.48 behind six Kenyans . Filipino runners complained of a no-contest as they watched the Kenyans throwing their full might against their local counterparts. But Runnex chairman Rudy Fernandez explained that Filipinos must learn how to “compete with the best in order to become the best." “This is an international race so we should learn how to compete with the best," said Fernandez. “We cannot condone mediocrity, or else our runners won’t improve." “If Manny Pacquiao can become the best boxer in the world, I see no reason why we can't also do the same in marathon," Fernandez added. Fernandez bared plans on organizing the 3rd edition of the event. “We were able to handle the traffic better this year and address the hydration needs of all our runners. Hopefully, we can have an even bigger and better organized 3rd Quezon City International Marathon in 2011," Fernandez said. - KY, RCJ, GMANews.TV