Banayag upsets Kenyan in KOTR

Bernardo Desamito finally won his first championship here even as two-time winner Jho-an Banayag defeated a Kenyan runner to dominate yesterday’s Adidas King of the Road 21K foot race at The Fort in Taguig City.

“Sa wakas, nanalo na rin ako,” said the 34-year-old Desamito, whose best finish here was second place two years ago.

Desamito, who was earlier tapped by defending champion Eduardo Buenavista to replace him in yesterday’s race, actually shadowed early leaders Gerald Sabal and Alquin Bolivar. He made his move three kilometers left in the race and pulled away for good.

Desamito clocked one hour, 12 minutes, 8 seconds in ruling the men’s 21K race. Sabal, brother of reigning Milo Marathon champion Cresenciano Sabal, settled for second place in 1:12:28 while Bolivar placed third in 1:12:38.

Four-time champion Buenavista, an enlisted personnel of the Philippine Air Force, begged off from yesterday’s race because he is slated to compete in the AFP Olympics next week.

The distaff side was expected to be tight race between RP’s best and a formidable Kenyan marathoner. But Banayag turned the race into a one-woman affair as she led from start to finish and beat Sarah Chebet of Kenya by a mile.

“Right from the start I pulled and I didn’t see her chasing after that,”said Banayag, who clocked 1:19:01.

Chebet placed second (1:23:50) and Maricel Maquilan a distant third (1:27:28).

This is Banayag’s second straight Adidas crown and her fifth title this year after topping the full marathons in Clark and Pasig and half marathons in Manila and Davao (Milo Marathon).

Chebet, on the other hand, complained of the humidity during the race but complimented Banayag.

“She is very good,” said the Kenyan runner, who is a first-time RP visitor.

Desamito and Banayag each received a P10,000 cash prize and P10,000 worth of Adidas gift certificates.

The race drew 5,327 runners, the bulk fielded in the 5K and 10K side events.

Topping the 10K run were Alley Quisay (32:22) and Mercedita Manipol-Fetalvero (36:35), the undisputed queen of the 10K race in the Philippines.

The 28-year-old Fetalvero has not lost a single 10K race on Philippine soil since 1998.

Quisay and Fetalvero each pocketed the P5,000 cash purse and P5,000 worth of Adidas gift certificates.

The 10K age-group winners were Christopher Ulboc and Jean Palencia (13-19), Marjohn Salanawon and Monica Torres (20-29), Lorenzo Daniela and Enate Sayrol (30-39), Rodolfo Tacadino and Marlyn Lumagbas (40-49), and Rey Antoque and Helen Castillo (50-above).

The 5K age-group winners were Rey Santos and Bernardita Mag-aso (20-29), Val delos Reyes and Gale Roque (30-39), Mario Canja and Minnie Macasaet (40-49), and Edgardo Pedregosa and Norberta del Rosario (50-above).