CEBU, Philippines - It’s going to be Kenyans versus Pinoys in this Sunday’s 2nd Aboitiz Race to Reduce Challenge, which will start and finish at the Cebu International Convention Center in Mandaue City.
Among the Kenyans who have enlisted in Cebu’s richest race this year are Douglas Mwiti, Willy Tanui, James Tallam, Willy Rotich, Abraham Missos, Eliud Kering and Stanley Ting.
The veteran Douglas Mwiti who has a personal best of 2:12 in the full marathon is the top bet among the Kenyans.
Local followers of running, however, are also saying that Willy Tanui, winner of the recent Kawasan Falls marathon and Abraham Missos, winner of the Manila leg of last year’s Milo Marathon may race better than Mwiti with the two already familiar with the route here having joined several competitions here before.
In the distaff side, two Kenyan runners are also joining — Peris Poywo and Susan Jemutai.
The country’s record holder in the 42.195- kilometer race, Eduardo “Vertek” Buenavista, on the other hand, leads the Pinoy bets.
Buenavista holds a personal best of 2:18.
He is expected to be in his best since he is fully rested. His last race was the Manila Bay Clean-up Run where he beat James Tallam for the 21k title four weeks ago.
Aside from Buenavista, seasoned runners including Bernardo Desamito, Rene Desuyo and Eric Paniqui will also try to protect the Pinoys’ turf.
In the premiere women’s class, Cebu’s very own Mary Joy Tabal is the early favorite against the Kenyan runners even as some out-of-towners have also signed up for the race.— (FREEMAN)