Ethiopian out to stop Kenyans in QC run

MANILA, Philippines - A 25-year-old Ethiopian runner with a personal best time of two hours, 10 minutes hopes to stop the Kenyan domination of the Quezon City International Marathon which fires off tomorrow at the Quezon Memorial Circle.

Seyoum Debele Lema, who finished eighth in the 2010 Casablanca Marathon in Morocco with a 2:13.10 clocking, looms as the major threat to the Kenyan bets in the battle for the men’s division title of the event presented by SM Development Corp. (SMDC) for the third straight time.

“Based on Lema’s times alone, we may expect a pretty fast pace that may result in a new record for the men’s marathon,” said Rudy Fernandez, chairman of the organizing Executive Runners Club of the Philippines (Runnex).

The event is backed by the Quezon City government and supported by Hyundai Asia Resources, Maxima Machineries, BPI, Accel Meralco, Mizuno, SSS, AGC Flat Glass Phils, Manila North Tollways Corp., Castrol, Globe, Gatorade, Maynilad, Manila Water and Salonpas.

He noted that nine of the 10 top spots in the men’s race were secured by Kenyans, led by Robert Kosgei, who logged 2:22.52, surpassing compatriot and inaugural champion Hillary Kipchumba’s time of 2:33.55.

“With rivals Ethiopia competing in the QCIM for the first time, the Kenyan runners will be working doubly hard to keep the crown,” he added.

On the other hand, Lydia Jerotich Rutto will be back to defend her women’s title, making her the top favorite in her division of the event that has media partners ABS- CBN, DZMM, Studio 23, NBN-Auto REVIEW, Aksyon Sports, MBC, DZSR, DWBR, The Philippine STAR, Multi-Sports, Total Fitness and Front Runner.

Rutto clocked 2:54.08 in copping the women’s title, eclipsing the previous mark of Kenyan countrywoman Doreen Kitaka (2:58.59) who won the initial race in 2009.

Also expected to be back in action are Eric Panique and Mischelle Gilbuena, who were the top Filipino performers in the men’s and women’s 42K categories, respectively, last year.

Panique, second in the SEA Games with a time of 2:28, finished 10th overall (2:32.36) last year, while Gilbuena fared better on the distaff side by placing seventh (3:15.48) behind six Kenyans.

Fernandez observed that 40 percent of the early local entries who registered were running in the full marathon “which shows that more and more Filipino runners are rising to the challenge of completing the 42K distance.”

Aside from juicy cash prizes, SMDC is also offering a condominium unit in one of its prime properties in Quezon City as a grand prize to be raffled off among the runners entered in the 5K, 10K, 21K and 42K runs.

Organizers reiterated their advice to motorists and commuters aiming to pass through the QCIM routes tomorrow to take the alternative routes to reach their respective destinations. Roads leading to Quezon City Hall, Quezon City Circle (East Avenue to Philcoa), Commonwealth (Philcoa to La Mesa Eco Park Entrance) and University of the Philippines-Diliman will be closed from midnight of Dec. 4 until 12 noon.

Residents in the Commonwealth/UP Diliman and Fairview areas have already declared a “car-free” Sunday until the marathon is over.