Kenyans unmatched in New Balance race

The Kenyans once again showed their supremacy in running as they dominated the 10-kilometer race of yesterday’s New Balance series yesterday at the Ayala Center Cebu’s The Terraces.

Kenyans Josphat Kiptanui, Francis Kakui, Douglas Mwiti and Abraham Missous all went home  with cash prizes as they made their marks in the 10k and 5k categories.

Kiptanui topped the 10k with a time of 32 minutes and 51 seconds followed by Kakui, who finished in 33 minutes and 56 seconds to finish second.  Mwiti off the Top 3 with a time of 34 minutes and two seconds.

Missous, meanwhile, bagged the title in the 5k category with a time of 16 minutes and 21 seconds.

The locals, on the other hand, dominated the women’s race as Mary Joy Tabal and Mary Grace delos Santos shared the spotlight by winning separate titles.

The Southwestern University  ace Tabal lorded the women’s 10k category by clocking 39 minutes and nine seconds.

Cristy Sevellino-Tutor clocked 42 minutes and 36 seconds to finish second while Madelyn Carter claimed the third spot with a time of 47 minutes and 18 seconds.

Philippine team member Delos Santos crossed the finish line first in the 5k race with a time of 19 minutes and 53 seconds.

The Andrin sisters, Lovely and Jhean, placed second and third, respectively. Lovely clocked 21 minutes and 18 seconds while the older Jhean clocked 21 minutes and 31 seconds.

The next leg of the annual running event will be in Cagayan de Oro City.

All finishers received finishers bags and special New Balance laces. Prizes in cash and in kind were also given to the winners.

The 10k first placers got P7,500 while P5,000 went to the second placers. P2,500 was awarded to the third placer. The top three 5k finishers pocketed P5,000, P2,500 and P1,500 respectively.