Buenavista dwarfs ’em all in Korea

Eduardo "Vertek" Buenavista crowned himself the 2005 adidas King of the Road Asian champion Sunday when he bested a tough Korean field plus three other international runners in the 10-km road race event in Chungcheong, South Korea.

The 27-year-old Buenavista, a name to reckon with in both the middle and long distance races, lost no time in dominating the big 234-man field that had tried in vain to foil the diminutive runner from South Cotabato as he broke away from the pack in the early going then cruised to the victory before a big crowd at the finish line. He clocked 29 minutes and 16 seconds.

The victory augured well for Buenavista, one of the spearheads of the country’s bid in next month’s Southeast Asian Games in Manila, who won $1,800 (roughly P100,800) plus some $1,000 worth of adidas products.

The adidas King of the Roadrace, introduced in Hong Kong in 1981, is recognized as one of the most important middle-distance running events in Asia. It has attracted over 60,000 participants, including professional and weekend runners around the region. In 2003, adidas organized the first adidas King of the Road Asian Championship in Bangkok.

Buenavista, whose stint in Korea was supported by adidas and Globe Gentxt, gained the right to represent the country in the Korean meet by topping the adidas King of the Road race at The Fort last year.

Meanwhile, the 2005 adidas King of the Road race here will be held Oct. 16, according to the organizing adidas Phils. Registration forms are available at selected adidas brand stores and at the KOTR registration center at Vasquez Madrigal Building, No. 51 Annapolis St., San Juan.

For details, contact 7279987.