KENYAN runners once again showed their prowess after dominating the 42-kilometer marathon of the ThreeSixty Pharmacy Kawasan Falls Marathon yesterday in Badian town, southern Cebu.
Abraham Missos and Willy Tanui finished 1-2 in the 42k race with the former winning the title with a time of 2 hours 39 minutes and 35 seconds. Tanui clocked 02:50.14 for second place.
Filipino Moh Sherwin Managuil managed to secure third place, breasting the finish line in 2 hours 53 minutes and 10 seconds.
In the distaff side, Christy Sevellino-Tutor continued her winning streak as she ruled the 42k with a time of 3 hours 37 minutes and 26 seconds.
Missos and Tutor bagged the P20,000 top purse for finishing first in the 42k race.
Merlita Arias-Dunkin settled for second place with a time of 4 hours and 20 seconds while Melinda Ponce came in at third (4:28.29).
Adonis Singson, meanwhile, dominated the 21k men’s division, finishing in 1:15:17. He grabbed the P15,000 cash prize. Singson is the defending champion of the Milo Marathon Cebu Leg.
Joeyry Lee of the University of Southern Philippines-Foundation (USP-F) won the women’s 21k crown with a time of 1:33:18.
Runners who joined the first full marathon held outside of Cebu praised chief organizer and running patron Potenciano “Yong” Larrazabal III for a very successful race.
“After the race I was surprised after the runners congratulated me because they really had fun,” said Larrazabal.
“Actually the three town mayors of Badian, Alegria and Malabuyoc have already talked about having (another race) next year. For me, May would be an ideal month to hold the second race.” /CORRESPONDENT DALE G. ROSAL