Kenyans also rule Pasig run

MANILA, Philippines - The Kenyan runners continued to dominate local marathon as Vincent Chepsiror picked up his second straight victory by topping the Philippine International Marathon 2009: Run for the Pasig River at the Quirino Grandstand yesterday.

Two weeks after leading a sweep of the first Subic International night marathon, Chepsiror spearheaded another 1-2-3 finish by the visiting runners, turning in a 2:25:43 clocking to pocket the top prize of P100,000 and a trophy in the event held to raise funds for the rehabilitation and restoration of the Pasig River.

Johnson Taus and Kiberess Kember clocked 2:27:05 and 2:27:17 to finish second and third, respectively, in the 42-kilometer run, the centerpiece race of the event, which drew a record field of more than 21,000, according to the organizing Kapit Bisig Para sa Ilog Pasig (KBPIP).

The 29-year-old Chepsiror, winner of the 2007 Standard Charter Marathon in Nairobi, ran shoulder to shoulder with Taus in the first 38 kms before making his move in the last four kilometers.

“I’m happy to win again. I hope I could come back next year and defend my title,” said Chepsiror.

Eric Panique emerged the top Filipino finisher in the men’s side at seventh while Miscelle Gilbuena ruled the women’s side.

The 26-year-old Panique, who trained under former Olympian and many-time national marathon champion Roy Vence, clocked 2:30:13, while Gilbuena turned in a 3:18:08 clocking to pocket her first marathon crown.

Gilbuena, from Bantayan, Talisay in Cebu and a standout of the Southwestern U, bested Monaliza Ambasa (3:18:36) and Geraldine Sealza (3:20:57).

Gilbuena, who finished runner-up to SEA Games-bound Christabel Martes in last month’s Milo Marathon, also won P100,000, including P30,000 cash, while Ambasa and Sealza took home P20,000 and P10,000 cash and P30,000 and P20,000 worth of products, respectively.

“I’m very thankful to my coach for helping me prepare for this event. Without him I wouldn’t have won here,” said the 21-year-old Gilbuena, also a protégé of Vence.

Panique, a native of EB Magalona but is now residing in Himamaylan, Negros Occidental, finished ahead of Cresenciano Sabal, who beat him in the final 50m to snatch the Milo Marathon crown recently.

Panique also beat one Kenyan, Jonathan Kipthani, who wound up ninth in 2:39:40.

“It was a sweet victory for me because I beat the same person who beat me in the last marathon and I finished ahead of a Kenyan to emerge the best Filipino finisher,” said Panique in Filipino.

Sabal came in eighth in 2:33:33.

Rounding up the top 10 in the men’s side were No. 4 Hillary Lagat, the 2008 Clark Marathon king in 2:28:18, No. 5 Willy Kipkemoi (2:28.21) and No. 6 Hillary Kimutai (2:29:24), of Kenya and No. 10 Reynante Villarama (4:04) of RP.

Mizuno ruled the 42km relay race with Army second and PNP Special Action Force third.

The top three finishers in other categories were Ben Alejandrino, Hernanie Sore, Allan Bellester and Flordelize Donoz, Nhea Ann Barcena and Emma Magango (10K); Ramie Lacson, Melchor Mirasol and Roberto Raquiza and Serenata Saluan, Liza Yambao and Nancy Piaro (5K); Abraham Barcase Jr., Kimbert Soriano and Democrito Pingol Jr. and Michelle de Vera, Carmela Sugalan and Naomi Aing (3K).

The 42.195km race passed through nine of the 13 bridges of the Pasig River with some portions run on the river banks.

The 10km, 5km and 3km races, on the other hand, were held on the southbound portion of Roxas Boulevard along Manila Bay.

Gina Lopez, managing director of ABS-CBN Foundation Inc. (AFI), one of the lead partners of KBPIP, called on the public to show their support to the multi-sectoral effort to save the Pasig River:

“Our hope is that through this run, we can and we will elevate our consciousness. The marathon is a step of faith. Together we can go the distance and clean the river,” said Lopez.

Lopez also competed in the 5km and had a 40-minute clocking.