Kenya's Tanui and Cagayan's Tolentino rule Cebu City Marathon

CEBU, Philippines - Running on unfamiliar territory turned out so well for Kenyan Wily Tanui, while Cagayan de Oro’s Aileen Tolentino pulled one big surprise in the premiere 42-kilometer race of the Cebu City Marathon, which started and finished yesterday at the Asiatown IT Park in Brgy. Apas, this city.

Incidentally, Cebu’s top bets in Kenyan missionary Simon Losiaboi and the Zamboanga-native Mary Grace de los Santos both missed the title and just landed in their respective divisions.

Like Losiaboi, the 6-foot-1 Tanui competed for the first in a full-marathon and the latter made it nothing less than a very memorable one. Tanui completed the lung-busting tiff in two hours, 30 minutes and 59 seconds, two seconds shy from the time registered in his chip.

“In the Philippines , I love Cebu. I love the weather, I love the friendly people, and I love it because I won,” said an obviously ecstatic Tanui, who pocketed P50,000 for his feat.

Tanui, Losiaboi and five others were leading the pack right after reaching the 21K mark. In the final 10 kilometers , Tanui and Losiaboi broke away until Eric Panique, a runner from Negros Oriental, caught up with them.

Feeling his legs on the verge of cramps, Losiaboi decided to let go of Tanui with only two kilometres left as he could not afford to risk it all when he has no experience on the full marathon.

“I did not have enough training. He (Tanui) had more endurance. I also lacked the speed work, so I resist to breast with him,” said Losiaboi, who clocked in 2:32:22 based on the time recorded in his chip to edge out Panique by a mere one second.

Inspite of his failed title bid, Losiaboi got warm hugs and cheers from the spectators and fellow Kenyans as he did around a 25-meter sprint with another runner he later realized was a 21K and not a 42K.

Panique came out as the best Filipino finisher at third.

Another Kenyan entry in David Kipkoech Kipsang wound up fourth, while Manila-based Bald Runner’s Elmer Sabal landed fifth with the time of 2:37:23.

Cebu's Mendel Lopez could only make it to sixth place in 2:39:17, while Bacolod’s Jeson Agravante landed seventh in 2:41:41. Rounding up the top 10 finishers were Rene Desuyo (2:51:15), Rohildo Iso (2:56:40) and Cebuano Elmo Clarabal (2:59:23).

In the distaff side, Tolentino finally lashed back at De los Santos by pushing herself on a sprint finish in the final 50 meters.

Tolentino posted the time of 3:15:31, while De los Santos reach the finish line in 3:15:44. Miscelle Gilbuena took the third place honors in 3:22:08 while Bacolod ’s Hannah Jean Delfin placed fourth in 3:23:41 followed by Kenyan Susan Jemutai Chepwony in 3:38:17.

Filling up the top 10 cast were Jennylyn Nobleza (3:41:38), Jessica Soco (4:02:58), Mareeiz Ramirez (4:03:32), Dumaguete’s Melinda Ponce(4:23:57) and Manila ’s Cristina Narvaez (4:24:33).

Madelyn Carter, on the other hand, became the saving grace for the Cebuanos as she topped the women's 21K run in one hour, 10 minures and 51 seconds.

Leiszl Lumindas-Gitaruelas came out second in 1:31:55, while Aileen’s sister Ellen salvaged the third spot in 1:36:58.

Emily Chiongbian ended up fourth in 1:43:11, while Lorhiz Echavez settled for fifth. The sixth to 10th finishers were Joyette Jopson (1:45:43), Jennifer Belacura (1:46:41), Kaye Lopez (1:50:23), Amale Jopson (1:55:39) and Irish Belleza (1:55:43).

In the men's 21K, Alquin Bolivar emerged as the fastest in 1:12:02, while Crifrankredeal Indapan placed second in 1:12:11 followed by Gerald Sabal (1:13:46).

The fourth to 10th were Willy Rotich (1:14:47), Revodeem Aranas (1:15:45), Jess Gonzaga (1:16:34), Rio dela Cruz (1:17:09), Reprinel Banzon (1:17:43), Bonifacio Monjas (1:18:15) and Riez Enriquez(1:19:16).

The 5K run in the Cebu Executive Runners Club (CERC) and ASAP-organized event saw Joel Delposo and Mary Joy Tabal ruling their respective classes. – THE FREEMAN