Kenyans sweep Yakult 10 Miler
KENYANS Benjamin Kipkazi won the men’s race and Irine Kipchumba ruled the distaff side of the 23rd Yakult 10-Miler that started and ended yesterday at the Cultural Center Complex in Pasay City.
Kipkazi clocked 49 minutes and 35 seconds over the distance, roughly equivalent to 16 km, while Kipchumba coasted to victory in 1:02.27.
Kipkazi and Kipchumba, both professional runners, won P7,000 each plus trophies.
The crack Kenyans, here on a prolonged vacation to compete in cash-rich races, actually finished 1-2-3 in the men’s division with Willy Rotich and Samson Tuwie coming in second and third, respectively, in 49:39 and 49:43.
Veteran Filipino long-distance ace Eduardo Buenavista settled for fourth place in 50:09, ahead of another Kenyan in Eliud Kering, who timed 50:59. Buenavista pocketed P1,000.
“It was a perfect run and the weather was ideal,” said Kipkazi, who negotiated the race troublefree.
Kipchumba and compatriot Susan Jemutai made it a 1-2 finish for the Kenyan ladies, clocking 1:02.27 and 1:04.39, respectively.
Third place went to former Philippine marathon queen Christabel Martes, who timed 1:05.18, edging Mischelle Gilbuena (1:06.30).
The Kenyans also dominated the 5K side event with Philip Rono clocking 13 minutes and 31 seconds for the title, beating Filipinos Joycer Lacno and Jun- rel Bendoy, who checked in with times of 15:15 and 15:29, respectively.
Lovely Moreno prevented a Kenyan sweep by topping the distaff race in 20:08. She was followed home by Angelica David in 22:39 and Edina Villanueva in 24:01.
Yakult plant manager Mitsuo Taniguchi awarded the prizes and trophies to the top three placers of the 10 Miler and 5K races. He was assisted by sales manager Michael Ong.
About 3,000 runners competed in the annual race supervised by Rudy Biscocho.