Kenyan newcomers top QC int'l marathon

MANILA, Philippines - Two Kenyan newcomers swept the men’s and women’s divisions of the third Quezon City International Marathon that started and ended in front of the Quezon City hall yesterday.

Just three days after arriving in Manila, Cosmers Kembei and Pamela Chipkoge reasserted Kenya’s mastery of local foot races by ruling their respective classes to pocket P75,000 each in the event presented by leading property developer SM Development Corp. (SMDC).

The 25-year-old Kembei outsprinted Andrew Melly in the last 200 meters to rule the 42.195-men’s division in two hours, 29 minutes, 40 seconds, four seconds ahead of his compatriot (2:29.44) while John Kiprop (2:33.04) finished third to complete the Kenyans’ sweep of the top three places.

Chipkoge, on the other hand, had a much easier time in topping the distaff side in 2:47.45, way ahead of another Kenyan Genet Adeke Agnew (3:03.42) while local bet Luisa Raterta checked in a surprise third (3:11.00).

Raterta, who finished fourth in the Milo national marathon finals in 2009, will likewise get P30,000 as the top Filipina performer in the women’s side and additional incentives for barging into the Top 3, according to Runnex chairman Rudy Fernandez. 

QC Mayor Herbert Bautista, Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte and Councilor Vincent Belmonte were among those who flagged off nearly over 10,000 runners Army Corporal Gerard Sabal finished seventh overall in 2:46.44 to wind up as the Filipino topnotcher in the men’s division. He took home P30,000.

Meanwhile, Alquin Bolivar, Nhee Ann Barcena and Mararcil Maquilan finished among the top three in their respective categories in the 21K races also ruled by the Kenyans.

Bolivar kept pace with the fancied Kenyans until the turnaround point in front of the La Mesa Dam Eco Park front gate and was eventually relegated to third place (1:15.19) behind Samson Tuwei (1:11.50) and James Meibei (1:14.20), who finished 1-2.

Tuwei won P30,000, Meibei got P20,000 while the 26-year-old Cagayan de Oro native also received P30,000 as the top local men’s runner in the 21K run plus incentives from the organizers.

Kenyan Rhoda Chepkirih bagged the women’s 21K championship (1:32.08) and received P30,000 but Nhee Ann Barcena (1:14.20) Maracil Maquilan (1:36.12) were second and third, respectively, in the category. Barcena earned P30,000 while Maquilan had P20,000.