Kenyans dominate Discovery vertical run

MANILA, Philippines - Like any other running events in the country, the recent Discovery Channel Vertical 10K Run held at Stamford Executive Residences in Venice Piazza Mall, McKinley Hill in Taguig City turned out to be another Kenyan show.

Philip Ronoh and Irene Kipchumba showed too much power as they left their rivals huffing and puffing halfway through the contest that drew close to 2,500 participants, including those in the 5K and 3K events.

Winner of the Mayon Trail Run and the Kuala Lumpur Tower International Night Towerthon in Malaysia last year, Ronoh clocked a fast time of 40:03 to beat second placer Reggie Lumawag by five minutes later. Aver Sister wound up third in 48:32.

With his win, Ronoh, who also topped a regional race in Tarlac last year, pocketed the top purse of P15,000 while Lumawag and Sister received P7,000 and P4,000, respectively, in the race organized for the Earth Hour 2012.

Jonathan Ruby, local representative of Discovery Channel, Reggie Olalia of WWF and Gail Cowper of Skechers handed the prizes to the winners.

For finishing second in the event sponsored by Skechers (GoRun), Yakult, Honda, Nikon, Nivea, Aquabest and Biofresh, Lumawag earned the right to represent the country in the Swisshotel Vertical Marathon in Singapore this year.

Kipchumba, who likewise won the Mayon Trail Run and Tarlac regional race, clocked 49:52 to beat Ann Barcena (51:25) and Luisa Ratera (52:07). They also pocketed the same prize.

Willy Tanui was the third Kenyan to prevail, topping the 5K run in 16:03 to edge out James Mibei (16:05) and Aquin Bolivar (17:09) while Mercedita Fetalvero won the distaff side in 19:30. Tanui and Fetalvero won P6,000 each.

In the men’s 3K event, Michael Balong beat out Manolo Hernandez for the top prize of P5,000 while Janette Lumidao outlasted Lovely Gemeroy to likewise earn P5,000.