Maluyo, Chepkirui rule Milo GenSan elims

MANILA, Philippines - Unheralded Kidapawan native Gilbert Maluyo beat a fancied Kenyan runner in the men’s division while Rhodah Chepkirui ruled the distaff side in the penultimate leg of the 35th National Milo Marathon in Gen. Santos City last Sunday.

Maluyo, a 30-year-old machine operator, timed 1:14:54 to edge Elmer Bartolo (1:14:56) while Chepkirui, also of Kenya, registered 1:27:40 to lead a total of 14 age group qualifiers into the grand finals on Dec. 11 at the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City.

Bartolo gave his all in the final kilometer to beat David Kipoech Kipsang of Kenya, who settled for third in 1:15:16. Royle Mariano came in fourth in 1:24:23 while Jelbirt Gomera clocked 1:27:34 for fifth.

“I was trailing Kipsang until nine kms into the race when I overtook him. I led at the turning point and went head to head this time with Bartolo. It was a very tight race until the very end,” said Maluyo.

He almost could not believe his victory as he was initially intimidated by the presence of a Kenyan runner and had little training.

“It was a challenge for me to balance work and training and I had to wake up at 4:30 a.m. to do a long run before I headed to work. Add to that, I was nervous because I have been hearing about Kenyans ruling races in Mindanao and Visayas,” Maluyo said.

Jerome dela Rosa timed 1:27:39 for sixth followed by Rodolfo Villanueva with 1:30:38, Paul Andrew Paradela (1:30:42), Francisco Veroy (1:31:29) and Diosdado Munar Sr. (1:31:52).