For the third year in a row, Kenyan runners romped off with the top prizes in the Quezon City International Marathon which held its third edition last Sunday.
Cosmers Kembei and Pamela Chipkoge, both from Eldoret town in the western part of Kenya, ruled the centerpiece 42K event to pocket P75,000 each in the race that started and ended outside the Quezon City Hall along Elliptical Road.
The 25-year-old Kembei outsprinted compatriot Andrew Melly in the last 200 meters to win in two hours, 29 minutes and 44 seconds. Melly checked in four seconds after to finish second while another Kenyan, John Kiprop (2:33.04), was third.
Chipkoge, who arrived in the country with Kembei three days before the race, had an easier time in the distaff side, clocking 2:47.45. Runner-up and compatriot Genet Adeke Agnew clocked 3:03.42 while local bet Luisa Raterta finished third in 3:11.00.
Raterta received an additional P30,000 for being the top local female finisher in the race presented by property developer SM Development Corporation and organized by the Executive Runner’s Club of the Philippines (Runnex) and the QC government.
Gerard Sabal finished seventh overall in 2:46.44 and was the best local male runner. He also received an additional P30,000.
QC Mayor Herbert Bautista, Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte and Councilor Vincent Belmonte were among those who flagged off nearly over 10,000 runners.
Similarly, Kenyans dominated the 21K event, finishing 1-2 in the men’s race ang bagging the female championship.
Samson Tuwei (1:11.50) and James Meibei (1:14.20) occupied the top two spots while Filipino Alquin Bolivar was third in 1:15.19.
Rhoda Chepkirih ruled the women’s side in 1:32.08 to win P30,000. Local runners Nhea-Ann Barcena (1:14.20) Marecil Maquilan (1:36.12) wound up second and third, respectively.
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