Subic marathon all-Kenyan show

MANILA, Philippines - Frederick Mongiro ruled the 42k event in the third Subic International Marathon as the Kenyans continued their domination of the event at the Remy Field inside the SBMA for the third straight year yesterday.

Mongiro turned in a clocking of 2 hours, 23 minutes, 57 seconds in topping the centerpiece event also won by fellow Kenyans Nelson Kirwa Rotich and Vincent Kipchirchir Chepsiror in the first two years of the race. He won P20,000.

It was actually a sweep by the African runners as Eluid Kering and Daniel Koringo finished second and third, respectively.

Kering finished nearly five minutes behind Mongiro, submitting a time of 2:28:35 while Koringo came in seven seconds behind and took home P10,000 and P5,000, respectively.      

Another Kenyan runner, Peris Poywo, reigned in the distaff side of the event backed by Smart Sports, 100 Plus Sports Drink, Summit Drinking Water, Deuter, Total Fitness, Subic EnerZone, Ceres, Global Destiny Cable, Multisport, OneSport and Jam 88.3 FM with Subic Residencias and Chris Sports as registering partners. She timed 3:25:50 and won P20,000.

“It was a good win for me since this is my first time to compete in the Philippines and here at the Subic marathon. I did not expect to win since there are other strong runners but I went all out early to get a good lead against my opponents,” said Poywo.

Local bets Laila Bartolome and Zepora Dalang took the next two places in the women’s side, submitting 4:48:23 and 4:46:54 and pocketing P10,000 and P5,000, respectively.

“(Poywo) is really strong. She had already made the turn and was heading back to Remy Field while we are just making our way to Camaya resort,” said Dalang.

Eduardo Buenavista competed in the 21k race and turned in a time of 1:10:17 while Kenyan Irine Kipchumba duplicated the feat in the women’s class (1:18:58). Both runners received P10,000 each.