The Ethiopian invasion in Cebu

The Filipino runners were wary about the presence of Kenyan runners. But they may have overlooked the Ethiopians.

Mikael Tesfaye Kahsay and Genet Agtew of Ethiopia brought their winning ways to Cebu, topping the Cebu eliminations of the Milo Marathon yesterday.

Tesfaye Kahsay breasted the finish line in Osmeña Boulevard with a time of one  hour, nine minutes and 33 seconds to rule the men’s 21-kilometer race while Agtew  clocked one  hour 24 minutes and 16 seconds to win the women’s crown.

Both elite runners of coach Tsegaye Gebreegziabher Kebedew  automatically earned slots to the National Finals slated Dec. 11 in Manila.

The Ethiopians are no strangers in the country’s running scene.

Kahsay and Agtew also dominated the 21k run of the prestigious CamSur International Marathon in Camarines Sur last month. The 25-year-old Kahsay clocked 1:10:57 to win the men’s title while Agtew topped the women’s side with a time of 1:22:22.

Local running ace Mary Joy Tabal is familiar with Agtew as she finished runner-up to the Ethiopian in the CamSur event.

Yesterday, Tabal again finished second, clocking 1:27:25, while Mary Jane Beboso settled for third place (1:39:52).

Mailemariam Kansay (1:09:37) also of Ethiopia was second in the men’s race while Kenyan Josphat Kiptanui (1:09:45) was at third.

Also qualifying for the Nationals for a chance at the P300,000 top purse  were three male Kenyan elite runners and two Filipino runners. The two Pinoys are Tabal and 2010 Cebu leg winner Adonis Singson.

Tabal and Agtew were the only female runners who qualfied after finishing with times below the 1:30:00 cutoff.

Singson is the only local runner who qualified in the men’s side after clocking 1:15:56, good for sixth place in the 21k race.

The three Kenyans who qualified are Kiptanui, Abraham Missous (1:12:58) and Francis Kakaui (1:14:14).

Tabal, last year’s third placer in the Nationals 42k run, was still satisfied with her performance yesterday as she surpassed her personal record of 1:28:00.

SECRET FOR SUCCESS

Meanwhile, Ethiopian coach Kebedew said the reason for his wards’ success is  rigid training.

“We trained very hard, alternating between speed workouts, endurance and long distance running,” he said. “That’s our secret in winning.”

Milo Marathon Cebu leg co-organizer Ricky Ballesteros said this kind of training should be considered by local runners and their coaches.

“That would be a great challenge for Filipinos runners to improve,” said Ballesteros.

In the 10k race, Riez Enriquez crossed the finish line first with a time of 36 minutes and one second followed by Reprinel Banzon of the University of Cebu (UC) and Ronny Andrin.

Jojielyn Pepito of the University of San Carlos (USC) landed in the top spot of the women’s 10k side with a time of 46 minutes and 41 seconds followed by Gerly Rose Baylon and Gretchen Batiancila.

Aldren Agang (17:49) and Clarisse Diongson (22:35 ) ruled the 5k race.

Jeniucel Amamangpang (11:38)  and Lovely Fe Andrin (11:54 ), on the other hand,  finished first in the 3k division.

The University of Cebu (UC) topped the inter-school competition with an official time of 27 minutes and 18.49 seconds.

A total of 19,040 runners participated in the race, including Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama.