Kenyans out to stamp class in Subic marathon

MANILA, Philippines - World-class long distance running takes a new form today as the second Smart Subic International Marathon gets going at the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway.

A slew of Kenyan runners led by defending champion Nelson Kirwa Rotich is expected to crowd Filipino entries and the rest of the foreign bets for the top prize money of $5,000 at stake in the full 42-k marathon.

Rotich clocked 2:27:11 to beat Eduardo Buenavista for the title in last year’s edition of the meet presented by Smart and co-presented by BCDA, Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway, PNP, PAGC, SBMA, MNTC, Rotary International district 3810, Toby’s, Runnr, Burlington BioFresh, Sports Armour and Chris Sports.

“We expect a record field of 10,000 runners to compete in the event,” said Smart sports head Pato Gregorio.

Other top Kenyan delegates competing in the P1.6 million event are Hillary Kipkemboi Lagat, winner of the 2008 Clark Marathon Philippines, Vincent Kipchirchir Chepsiror, Samuel Taurus Too, David Kipkoech Kipsang, Willy Kipkemoi Kipsang and Daniel Kipkemei Koringo.

As he prepares for the 25th Southeast Asian Games in Laos two months from now, Buenavista decided to skip this year’s competition, leaving the cudgels to seasoned runners Allan Ballester, Bernardito Desamito, Alquin Bolivar, Allen Quisay and Elmer Sabal.

Kenyan bets are also favored in the distaff side, with Lydia Jerotich Rutto and Sarah Jepchirchir Maiyo as the runners to beat.

Making the meet distinctly different from the rest of the international marathons the country held recently is the fresh and scenic view provided by the race route that starts at the SCTEX in Floridablanca, Pampanga and ends at the Remy Field in Subic Bay.

The race will also be run at 4:30 p.m., another unique set-up implemented by organizers of the race to be joined too, by runners from the US, Malaysia, China, Singapore, Taiwan and New Zealand.

Also to be run during Saturday’s full marathon is the 10K event, while the side events composed of 21K, 5K and 3K runs will be held Sunday at 5 a.m. with members of the RP-Smart Gilas team led by captain Chris Tiu and the Pampanga Buddies of coach Allan Gregorio joining the fun along with singers Leo Valdez, Luke Mijares and other TV and movie personalities.

Other race sponsors include TRX, Tsoko.Nut Batirol, Timex, Pocari Sweat, Lighthouse Marina, Subic Holiday Villas, Ocean View Beach Resort, Isuzu, Second Wind, Dusit Thani Hotel, Hanford, Kitaro, Dusit Thani Hotel, Second Wind, Novellino Wines Burger King, Outback Steakhouse, NutriBar, Growers, Columbia Sportswear and San Miguel Beer, Media partners for the event, meanwhile, are ABS-CBN, IBC-13, NBN, ANC, MTV, UNTV, Business Mirror, Business World, Manila Bulletin, Philippine Star, Action and Fitness Mag, Wave 89.1, Jam 88.3, 99.5 RT, Max FM and 89.9 Magic.