Kenyans out to dominate Quezon City marathon

MANILA, Philippines - A solid Kenyan contingent will be out to stamp its class in the inaugural Quezon City International Marathon that is expected to draw at least 10,000 runners when it fires off on Oct. 18 at the Quezon Memorial Circle.

 Composed of four male and two female marathoners, the Kenyans will seek not only to top the 42-kilometer race but will also try to eclipse record for the fastest marathon run on Philippine soil, event organizers said in yesterday’s PSA forum at the Shakey’s UN Avenue branch in Manila.

 “These Kenyan runners could surpass the time of 2:14.27 set by Germany’s Waldermar Cierspinski, a two-time Olympic champion, in the 1982 Manila International Marathon,” said Runnex chairman Art Disini.

 Disini was joined in the session sponsored by Accel, Pagcor, Shakey’s and Outlast Battery by Runnex president, Rudy Fernandez, publicity and promotions chief Ron delos Reyes, and a bevy of past and aspiring Mutya ng Lungsod Quezon beauties.

 Disini said leading the Kenyan challenge is Daniel Kipkemei Koringo, who ruled the Malakoff 26-K run in Penang, Malaysia last June with a time of 1:25.53.

 Another threat in the marathon jointly organized by the Quezon City government of Mayor Sonny Belmonte is 25-year-old Wilson Songkok, who has a personal best of 2:17.52 in the marathon and was a top 10 finisher in the Kuala Lumpur half-marathon last June, clocking 1:12.48.35, he said.

 The other two Kenyan bets are Gilbert Kipkemoi, the winner of the 22K Shah Alam Adidas King of the Road in Malaysia last June who has a personal best of 2:15 in the marathon, and Samuel Tarus Too, who won the 2006 KL International marathon, he added.

 Top local marathon runner, Eduardo Buenavista, who holds the national record of 2:18.53, still has to confirm his participation, Disini said.

One of the confirmed female Kenyan runners is Lydia Jerotich, who placed second in the recent Army Half Marathon in Singapore and was third in Songhla Marathon held in Thailand, he said.  

On the other hand, Delos Reyes said that the marathon will fire off at the QC Memorial Circle, pass through the UP campus in Diliman, then Commonwealth, Fairview, making a turn at the La Mesa Dam before the runners head back passing the sprawling Trinoma mall before finishing at the QC circle once more.

A total of P3 million will be at stake in the event that will also have 5K, 10K and 21K races for both men and women, Fernandez said.

Fernandez said that registration is still open for all the divisions until Oct. 13 and those interested may inquire at the Runnex secrertariat with tel. No. 920-4206.