Willy Rotich found little challenge from local foes as he and two other Kenyans once again came up with a 1-2-3 finish in the 24th Yakult 10-Miler (16-kilometer) at the Cultural Center Complex in Pasay City, organizers said.
With last year’s winner Benjamin Kipkazi not around to chase him, Rotich reached the Star City finish line along Vicente Sotto Ave. in 51 minutes and 30 seconds.
Rotich, who is still sore from a trailing running competition he joined with Kipkazi last Friday, was one minute and 14 seconds ahead of Eliud Kering, who was the only one chasing him halfway into the race.
Another Kenyan, Elijah Kipruto, took third coming in with a clocking of 54:20.
Far Eastern University varsity runner Darwin Lim, back from a three-month layoff and a left knee injury, placed fourth in 56:55.
“The race was nice and smooth, and it was only my friends Eliud and Elijah who were chasing me,” said Rotich, who was runner-up to Kipkazi last year.
In the women’s division, FEU varsity bet Jennysmyl Mabunga surprised defending champion Irine Kipchumba for the women’s 16K honors.
The 20-year old Mabunga pounced on an opportunity to leave behind Kipchumba after the first seven kilometers of the race and clocked a time of 1:03.14.
Kipchumba arrived at the finish line, some six minutes and 14 seconds behind Mabunga, who earned the P7000 top purse with Rotich.
Batangueno runner Bendoy Junrel topped the men’s 5-km run in 16:49, while insurance company employee Alyssa Casaclang won the women’s side in 23:39.
Mark Alvin de Roxas ruled the 3-km boys (10-12 year old) action, while Tara Borlain dominated the girls side with sister Samantha. Miguel Ignacio clinched the 3km boys (6-9 years old) side with Nyvella Imbao in the girls section.
Michael Ong, head Yakult Sales and Planning department with Mitsuo Taniguchi, Plant Manager, Koji Kuroda, Plant Technical Consultant, Kenjie Egami, Project Manager for Yakult Phils, Inc, awarded the cash prizes, trophies and Yakult gift packs, while Connie Fortich, Skechers Ambassdor, awarded the Skechers performance shoes and Skechers apparel. Over 2300 runners saw action in this event which is also supported by Skechers.
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2012
KENYANS Benjamin Kipkazi won the men’s race and Irine Kipchumba ruled the distaff side of the 23rd Yakult 10-Miler that started and ended yesterday at the Cultural Center Complex in Pasay City.
Kipkazi clocked 49 minutes and 35 seconds over the distance, roughly equivalent to 16 km, while Kipchumba coasted to victory in 1:02.27.
Kipkazi and Kipchumba, both professional runners, won P7,000 each plus trophies.
The crack Kenyans, here on a prolonged vacation to compete in cash-rich races, actually finished 1-2-3 in the men’s division with Willy Rotich and Samson Tuwie coming in second and third, respectively, in 49:39 and 49:43.
Veteran Filipino long-distance ace Eduardo Buenavista settled for fourth place in 50:09, ahead of another Kenyan in Eliud Kering, who timed 50:59. Buenavista pocketed P1,000.
2011
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CITING perfect weather and good body condition, Kenyan Daniel Koringo outsprinted his rivals right from the starting gun to rule the 22nd Yakult 10-Miler which started and ended yesterday at the Cultural Center of the Philippines complex in Pasay City.
Koringo, who hails from the Kenyan capital of Nairobi, clocked 50 minutes and 21 seconds to become the first foreigner to win the annual footrace.
Another Kenyan, Philip Ronoh, checked in 50.37 to place second, while 2008 winner Alley Quisay was third in 53.38.
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