Kenyan, Cebu bet rule TNF-Philippines 100-K

MANILA, Philippines - Kenyan Eliud Kering and Cebuana Merlita Dunkin ran roughshod over the opposition to rule the men’s and women’s divisions of the grueling The North Face-Philippines 100-kilometer Ultra Marathon Challenge held over the weekend in unpredictable weather around the rugged and rolling terrain of Mt. Isarog in Camarines Sur.

Setting a torrid pace until experiencing back pains at the 80-kilometer mark, the 25-year-old Kering still logged a fast time of 11 hours, 13 minute and 46 seconds after crossing the finish line inside the sprawling Camsur Watersports Complex (CWC) early Saturday afternoon.

The Nairobi native finished more than an hour ahead of Ed Villanueva, the 2009 TNF-Philippines men’s champion when it was held in Pampanga, who continued to use his worn-out pair of 1992 Asics running shoes in bagging runner-up honors in 12:19.25.   

Hometown bet and triathlete Francis Peñalosa of Naga City made his grand debut in the grueling 100-km. contest by placing third (12:37.12) in the event sponsored by the Camarines Sur provincial government of Gov. L-Ray Villafuerte, CWC, AXN, 100Plus sports drink, Summit Water and Petzl head lamps.

The 37-year-old Dunkin, who got married to a 73-year-old American Army retiree last year, was also the runaway winner in the women’s contest and reached the finish line past 8 p.m. last Saturday in 15:52.24.

Showing great resilience after clinching the 80-km. Mayon 360, a marathon held around the world-famous volcano, just last April 2, Dunkin bested 2010 TNF-P Baguio-Benguet women’s titlist and Unifruitti team member Helen Tacling, who settled for second in 17:15.39.

Rounding out the top three on the distaff side was lanky 27-year-old female Army Private Ellen Tolentino, who finished in 17:41.29 in the TNF-Philippines 100 centerpiece event that lured close to 120 elite runners from also other countries such as Canada, Hong Kong and Singapore. 

Both Kering and Dunkin, who hails from Cebu City, each received P30,000 in cash, P10,000 worth of gift certificates and other premium trail running products from Camarines Sur Vice Gov. Ato Peña and Primer Group of Companies chief operating officer Jacky Quintos.