Kenyan king of the road

MANILA, Philippines - Richard Mutisyu capped Kenyans’ domination of the local running events the last few weeks as he ruled the 2009 Adidas King of the Road 21-km footrace held in an out-and-back course at the Bonifacio High Street, Global City, Taguig last Sunday.

Mutisyu, who competed in a full 42.195-km race in Subic Saturday night, hardly found a challenge in the absence of the country’s top runners as he coasted to victory in one hour, 13 minutes and 17 seconds. He took home P10,000 cash and P10,000 worth of gift certificate plus a KOTR trophy.

The 22-year-old Mutisyu, who finished fifth in the Subic race dominated by the Kenyans, was two minutes and 29 seconds ahead of second placer Darwin Lim, a varsity athlete of Far Eastern University.

The visiting runners also reigned in the recent first Quezon City International Marathon.

Unable to compete because of his stint in the coming Southeast Asian Games in Laos in December was four-time champion Eduardo Buenavista. The last time Buenavista topped this race in 2007, he clocked 1:07:28.

Also absent in the distaff side were former champions Jho-An Banayag and Mercedita Manipol-Fetalvero, who are also members of the Philippine team.

National pool member Nhea Ann Barcena ruled the women’s side with a clocking of 1:33:23 while veteran runner Mila Paje and triathlete Ani Karina De Leon finished second and third, respectively.

Topping the 10K side event were Reynand Novallasca (35:27) and reigning Milo Marathon queen Christabel Martes (37:47).

The winners in the 5K fun run were Palarong Pambansa gold medalist Mervin Guarte (20:27) and Michelle De Vera (27:22).