Peter Atencio writes from the Philippine International Marathon
KENYAN Vincent Chepsiror won his second 42.195-kilometer run, outpacing six other compatriots to cap a month-long stay in the country in yesterday’s 2000 Philippine International Marathon Run for the Pasig River.
Eric Panique, a protégé of Olympian Roy Vence, was the best Filipino finisher at eighth place behind the Kenyans, led by Chepsiror, who reached the Quirino Grandstand finish line in two hours, 25 minutes and .43 seconds.
The 26-year-old Panique, who even bested Milo Marathon champion Cresencio Sabal, came in a good five minutes later in clocking two hours, 30 minutes and 13 seconds.
“It was tough. The terrain was up and down. And the humidity, terrible,” said the 29-year old, Eldorit-based Chepsiror, who won the P100,000 top purse for his effort.
Chepsiror made his move in the long stretch of Roxas Boulevard going back to the finish, passing by Johnson Tarus and overtaking Kiberess Kember for the lead, which he did not relinquish from there.
Chepsiror, the six other Kenyans and Panique comprised the group that made the right turn from Buendia, leaving a fast fading Sabal, who finished eighth overall behind the Visayan-born Panique.
“Habol lang ako nang habol kay Sabal bago ako nakipaghabulan sa mga taga-Kenya sa Roxas Boulevard,” said Panique, who won two regional championships of the Milo Marathon early this year.
Tarus took runner-up honors and won P50,000 after clocking 2:27.05, while Kember came in third in 2:27.17, which was worth P30,000.
Miscelle Gilbuena, another protégé of Vence, grabbed the top prize in the women’s side and won P100,000 after completing the race in 3:18.03, while Mona Lisa Ambasa finished 20 seconds behind and took home the P50,000 purse. Geraldine Sealza placed third.
Meanwhile , organizer Gina Lopez of the ABS-CBN Foundation said she they were able to raise P4.5-million from a total of 22,000 who showed up to join the races.
“What I’m really happy about is that 22,000 who came for the run,” said Lopez, who is leading a campaign that aims to boost awareness on the plight of the polluted Pasig River and raise funds to rehabilitate in its cleanup drive.
The Foundation and the Environment Department through the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission signed a Memorandum of Agreement last March 2008 to help co-manage the rehabilitation of Pasig River and its tributaries.
KENYAN Vincent Chepsiror won his second 42.195-kilometer run, outpacing six other compatriots to cap a month-long stay in the country in yesterday’s 2000 Philippine International Marathon Run for the Pasig River.
Eric Panique, a protégé of Olympian Roy Vence, was the best Filipino finisher at eighth place behind the Kenyans, led by Chepsiror, who reached the Quirino Grandstand finish line in two hours, 25 minutes and .43 seconds.
The 26-year-old Panique, who even bested Milo Marathon champion Cresencio Sabal, came in a good five minutes later in clocking two hours, 30 minutes and 13 seconds.
“It was tough. The terrain was up and down. And the humidity, terrible,” said the 29-year old, Eldorit-based Chepsiror, who won the P100,000 top purse for his effort.
Chepsiror made his move in the long stretch of Roxas Boulevard going back to the finish, passing by Johnson Tarus and overtaking Kiberess Kember for the lead, which he did not relinquish from there.
Chepsiror, the six other Kenyans and Panique comprised the group that made the right turn from Buendia, leaving a fast fading Sabal, who finished eighth overall behind the Visayan-born Panique.
“Habol lang ako nang habol kay Sabal bago ako nakipaghabulan sa mga taga-Kenya sa Roxas Boulevard,” said Panique, who won two regional championships of the Milo Marathon early this year.
Tarus took runner-up honors and won P50,000 after clocking 2:27.05, while Kember came in third in 2:27.17, which was worth P30,000.
Miscelle Gilbuena, another protégé of Vence, grabbed the top prize in the women’s side and won P100,000 after completing the race in 3:18.03, while Mona Lisa Ambasa finished 20 seconds behind and took home the P50,000 purse. Geraldine Sealza placed third.
Meanwhile , organizer Gina Lopez of the ABS-CBN Foundation said she they were able to raise P4.5-million from a total of 22,000 who showed up to join the races.
“What I’m really happy about is that 22,000 who came for the run,” said Lopez, who is leading a campaign that aims to boost awareness on the plight of the polluted Pasig River and raise funds to rehabilitate in its cleanup drive.
The Foundation and the Environment Department through the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission signed a Memorandum of Agreement last March 2008 to help co-manage the rehabilitation of Pasig River and its tributaries.
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