Ethiopians dominate Milo Cebu elims

MANILA, Philippines - Mikael Tesfaye and Mailemariam Kansay made it a 1-2 finish for Ethiopia as they dominated the Milo marathon regional elims last Sunday in Cebu City.

The 25-year-old Tesfaye, fresh from his triumph in the 21-k category of the 2011 Camarines Sur International Marathon last week, clocked 1:09:33, nipping Kansay, who timed 1:09:37, to cop the top honors in the men’s division along Osmeña Boulevard.

Genet Agtew completed the Ethiopian domination of the event by topping the distaff side in 1:24:16, beating last year’s champion and RP team standout Mary Joy Tabal, who checked in second at 1:27:25.

The Ethiopians have been in the country for two weeks under the invitation of Bacolod running coach Frank Echevarria.

“We were invited by coach Frank to compete locally to heighten the level of competition. We trained hard for the race by practicing at least twice a day, alternating between speed workouts, endurance and long distance running,” said Kebedew. 

They are expected to be back in the national finals in December.

Kenyan Josphat Kiptanji settled for third with a 1:09:45 clocking while last year’s Metro Manila elims titlist Abraham Missos wound up fourth in 1:12:58. Another Kenyan Francis Kakaui placed fifth in 1:14:14.

2010 Cebu leg winner Adonis Singson remained the top Filipino runner, finishing sixth in 1:15:56. 

Mary Jane Beboso, meanwhile, settled for third in 1:39:52 followed by Cebu’s Madelyn Carter, who clocked 1:43:02 while Sandra Soliano ended up fifth in 1:45:47.

Meanwhile, another 500 pairs of shoes were donated by Nestle officials to the students of Apas National High School, Inayawan Elementary School, Abellana Nationahl High School, Don Vicente Rams Memorial High School and Barrio Luz Elementary School, as part of the National Milo Marathon “Help Give Shoes” advocacy program.