Ethiopians dominate Cebu eliminations

After the Kenyans, the Ethiopians are invading and competing in the country's foot races.

And last Sunday, during the Cebu eliminations of the 35th National MILO Marathon,  Ethiopian runners Mikael Tesfaye and Genet Agtew topped their respective events in the race held in Osmena Boulevard, organizers said in a press statement.

Tesfaye, a 25-year-old runner who won the 2011 Camarines Sur International Marathon last week, and compatriot Mailemariam Kansay poted a 1-2 finish in the men's 21-K category. Tesfaye submitted a time of one hour, 9 minutes and 33 second while Kansay (1:09:37) salvaged a second place finish.

Tesfaye

On the distaff side, Genet Agtew, also a full-time athlete from Adis Ababa, completed the Ethiopian domination with a time of 1:24:16, outpacing 2010 MILO Marathon Cebu champion and current RP team standout Mary Joy Tabal who finished at 1:27:25.

Agtew

The Ethiopian runners, also members of Mesgana Athletics Club under Tsegaye Gebrezidoner Kebedew have been in the country for two weeks under the invitation of Bacolod running coach Frank Echevarria.

“We were invited by Coach Frank to compete locally to heighten the level of competition in the local race and we’ve been trained hard for the race by practicing at least twice a day, alternating between speed workouts, endurance and long distance running,” says Kebedew.  The group will be staying in the Philippines to train for the December finals.

Sharing his runners’ strategy, Kebedew shares "Coming into the competition, I advised my runners to keep up with the pace of competition when the rest are fast, and never be complacent when others pace slow.”

So overpowering were the Ethiopians that they relegated the Kenyans led by Josphat Kiptanji (1:09:45) to third place and last year's Metro Manila elims titlist Abraham Missos (1:12:58) to a distant fourth in the men's race. Another Kenyan Francis Kakaui ended fifth in 1:14:14.

2010 Cebu leg winner Adonis Singson  remained the top Filipino runner, but his 1:15:56 finish was good enough for sixth place.  “I tried to keep up with the lead pack of Ethiopians and Kenyans who ran very fast and strong. I tried to outpace them but I was already tired in the last 5K mark. I slowed down from then,” says Singson.

On the distaff side, Mary Jane Beboso settled for third at 1:39:52 followed by Cebu’s Running Queen Madelyn Carter finished at 1:43:02 Sandra Soliano clutched fifth at 1:45:47

A field of 19,040 runners participated in the race, including Cebu City Mayor, Michael Rama and singer actress Donna Cruz, making the Cebu qualifying leg the biggest regional leg. From the race, 34 qualifiers will advance to the Manila Finals to stand the chance to win Php 300,000 for both men and women’s championship.

Another 500 pairs of shoes were donated by Nestle officials to the students of Apas National High School, Inayawan Elementary School, Abellana Nationahl High School, Don Vicente Rams Memorial High School and Barrio Luz Elementary School, as part of the National MILO Marathon “Help Give Shoes” advocacy program.

A total of 4,200 pairs of shoes were extended to public school children nationwide last year and this year the organizer is targeting 10,000 more shoes to be donated to 100 schools to 100 students all over the country in line with the company’s 100th year celebration

From the Queen city of the South, the 17-leg eliminations will proceed to Tagbilaran on Oct 9, Cagayan De Oro (Oct 16), Butuan (Oct 23), General Santos (Oct 30) and the Davao City leg on Nov.  6 with the Manila Finals slated on December 11.