The Kenyans are undoubtedly the best runners in the world. Just look at the results of the prestigious marathons and it’s more likely that they occupy the first five places if not the top ten. Why are the Kenyans unbeatable in long distance running? Well, it’s not only their way of life but their genes and built as well. Most of these runners come from the Great Rift Valley and Mt. Kenya, the country’s highest mountain at 17,057 feet, therefore, a great place for altitude training. Most Kenyans start running at an early age. For instance, a six-year old kid goes to school in the next village which is say, 10 kilometers away. Since there are no means of transportation, the boy runs to school and back.
In the Philippines, some of the best runners come from the Visayas region. In the 36-year history of Milo Marathon for example, Visayans have won a total of 19 crowns. Heading the list is Atlanta Olympics veteran Roy Vence of Bogo City, Cebu who has pocketed six titles, followed by the late Jimmy de la Torre a two-time Boston Marathon finisher (2:26) and 1981 Sea Games Marathon champion, with three crowns.
Also winning 3 titles is current national marathon record holder Vertek Buenavista, formerly of IloIlo City but now calls Sto. Niño in South Cotabato, his home. The rest are former national record holder and Barcelona Olympian Herman Suixo of Sta. Barbara, IloIlo (1), Eriberto Diaz of Bago City, Negros Occidental (1), former PAL Manila Marathon champion Rey Antoque of Sipalay (1), Boston Marathon veteran Exequiel Baisac of Cebu (1) Bacolod City’s Paquito Rizalde (1), Julius Sermona of Binalbagan, Negros Occidental (1), and Leonardo Illut of Cebu City.
The Visayans are also “demons†in the track oval and these includes Asia’s former fastest woman Inocencia Solis of San Miguel, IloIlo and former National record holder in the mile (1,600m), Rudy Fernandez of Ajuy, IloIlo who lost his right leg in a movie house explosion in 1979. Rudy was a silver medalist in the 800m event of the 1972 Pesta Sukan (now known as the Sea Games). Today, Rudy has shifted his sights to triathlon and has even competed in Subic.
The other performers are Sea Games gold medalist John Lozada (800m), Ernie Candelario (400m), Julius Nieras (100m) and Rene Herrera of Guimaras, IloIlo who represented the country in last year’s London Olympics together with another Visayan, Maristela Torres of Negros Oriental.
Other Visayans who stamped their class in road racing are Edgardo Pedregoza, Romulo Manara, Hernandito Pineda, Ronald Despi, Magnolia 20k champion Alvin Miraflores, 1987 Pilipinas International Marathon best Filipino finisher Arturo Angel and former national 10,000 meter record holder Mario Castro of Manapla, Negros Occidental.
Also serving strong notice that they are a force to reckon with in long distance running are Milo Marathon Manila elimination champions Jeson Agravante of Silay City and Eric Panique of Himamaykan. Negros Occidental, and Rene Desuyo also of Negros.
The Visayans are also making waves in the Ultra marathon with Cebuano Bayani Alvarez ruling the Hardcore 100 Miles and the Century Properties 100km the year before. Bogo’s City Noel Tillor has won the 2nd Coast to Coast 65k Ultramarathon, the I Shall Return 50K in Tacloban City and the 2012 Warrior 50K. Aivan Villalion of Sipalay, Negros Occidental won the initial Coast to Coast 65K Ultra in 2011. The Visayas is indeed a gold mine of running.