Quisay stuns easy-going Kenyan

MANILA, Philippines - Alley Quisay shattered the Kenyans’ domination of local running events as he pulled off a stirring come-from-behind victory over Kember Kiberless in the Philippine Sports Commission Run for Your Heart 10-km race, which started and ended at the Quirino Grandstand yesterday.

Quisay, a 30-year-old runner from Bolinao, Pangasinan, poured it all out in the final 10 meters to edge a stunned Kiberless in 31 minutes and 27 seconds and snatch the top P10,000 purse and a trophy courtesy of the PSC chaired by Harry Angping.

Kiberless, who led the Kenyans’ romp in various local races since late last year, thought he had heard the last of his challengers and appeared headed for another celebration when Quisay darted from behind and overtook him in the final stretch to snatch the win.

Kiberless, who topped the Adidas King of the Road and the Timex Run and finished second in the Kahit Isang Araw Lang na Takbo and third in the Pasig Heritage Run last year, was timed 31:29 for second worth P5,000, while Alquin Bolivar nipped Roger Denolo for third in 31:48 and took home P3,000.

“I just gave it my all in the final stretch and I’m happy my hard work paid off,” said Quisay, who finished 10th in the Milo Marathon behind a throng of Kenyans last year, in Filipino.

Despite the loss, the 23-year-old Kiberless proved gracious in defeat.

“He was fantastic, fast,” said Kiberless, who beat Quisay for the title in the Timex Run.

RP team mainstay Mercedita Manipol-Fetalvero made it a double victory for the local runners as she topped the women’s division in 37:01.23. She also won P10,000.

Maricel Maguilan and Miriam Miranda finished second and third in 39:01.17 and 41:33.76, respectively, while Mirasol Abad came in fourth in 42:38.70.