MANILA, Philippines - A strong delegation from Kenya, bannered by three male runners touted to have sub-2:20 times, is is expected to join the first Quezon City International Marathon (QCIM) slated Oct. 18.
Heading the list of the looming Kenyan challenge are veteran campaigners in international long distance races in the Southeast Asian region.
The Kenyan runners will be led by Daniel Kipkemei Koringo, champion of the Malakoff 26-K run in Penang, Malaysia, last June 2009, with a time of 1:25:53.
The 24-year old Koringo, reputedly capable of a 2:16 time in the 42-K, likewise placed fifth in the 2007 Penang Bridge Marathon in Malaysia, posting a time of 2:30:45.
Another possible strong contender in the QCIM full marathon supported by The Philippine STAR, New San Jose Builders, GMA7 Network, Inc,, San Miguel Corporation, Puregold, ShoeMart, Nike and Maxima, is Wilson Songkok, a 25-year-old who has a 2:17:52 best time, and a top 10 finish in the Kuala Lumpur half-marathon last June with a time of 1:12:48.35. Filipino marathon specialists will also likely have to contend with Gilbert Kipkemoi, who bagged the 22-K Shah Alam-Adidas King of the Road in Malaysia this August with a time of 1:09.
The 27-year old Kipkemoi is said to be capable of a 2:15 in the full 42-K marathon.
Tough Kenyan opposition could also be expected from Samuel Tarus Too, who copped the 2006 Kuala Lumpur International Marathon in 2:21:01.
On the distaff side, two lady Kenyans are expected to crowd the Filipina runners vying for a slice of the over P3 million prizes at stake.One of them, Lydia Jerotich Rutto was crowned first runner-up in the Army Half Marathon in Singapore just this August in 1:22:04, and second-runner up in the recent Songhla Marathon in Thailand in 2:45.
The Filipino marathon record holder is Eduardo Buenavista (2:18:53) during the Standard Chartered Marathon held in Hongkong last February. The female record holder is Jho-an Banayag (2:48:06) in the 2006 National Milo Marathon Finals.
Multi-marathon champion Christabel Martes clocked 2:48:58 in the Milo Marathon elims last July. The fastest marathon run in a Philippine competition stands at 2:14:27 by two-time Olympic champion Waldemar Cierspinski of Germany during the first Manila International Marathon in 1982.
With a quality field shaping up in the first QCIM, chances are good that some local marathon records could be eclipsed this October.