Camsur Marathon: Local bets shine in 21-K, falter in 42-K

PILI, CAMARINES SUR – With foreign competitors stamping their class in the full-marathon event of the inaugural Camsur International Marathon held here Sunday, the Philippines found a reason to rejoice in the 21-kilometer races. Comebacking Julius Sermona and Flordeliza Donos won the men’s and women’s categories of the international event sanctioned by the International Athletic Association Federation (IAAF) and was used as one of the qualifying events for the Korea World Athletics Championships. Forced to skip training due to a right foot injury, Sermona managed to outlast his foreign counterparts, posting a time of one hour, 10 minutes and 40 seconds. “I skipped training for two months. I took it easy in practice because of my injured foot," said Sermona, who bested his Kenyan counterparts, Philip Ronoh (1:11:42) and Anthony Kosgii (1:14:18). Ronoh and Kosgii finished second and third, respectively. “The foreigners were conspiring in order to beat me. They alternately paced their speed to wear me down," said Sermona. “But I let it all out in the last three kilometers. When I reached the last 500 meters, I was able to rest because of the long-distance lead I had." Also posting wins over their foreign competitors were Flodeliz Donos (1:19:08) and Mirasol Abad (1:29:14) in the women’s 21-K event. Donos and Abad made it a 1-2 finish for the Philippines in the distaff side of the race. Kenya’s Susan Jemutai (1:31:28) settled for third. But the Pinoy bets found themselves no match to their foreign rivals in the premier 42-K event. Kenya’s Richard Kemili Kemboi negotiated the up-and-down course with a time of 2:19:40 to bag the top prize worth $7,000 (P308,000). His compatriot, Joel Kemboi, (2:19:47) finished second. Two other Kenyans – Henry Kipkosgei Cherono (2:22:59) and Joseph Wambua (2:23:43) placed fourth and fifth, respectively. Ethiopia’s Taniku Aboste Bokan (2:20:54) took the third spot. That third place spot was eclipsed by Ethiopia’s domination in the women’s category as Ayelu Lemma Geda topped the event with a time of 2:40:05. Radiya Adlo Roba reached the finish line 40 ticks later to salvage a second spot finish. Ukraine’s Tatiana Villosova, who is running in her second marathon after a successful career in steeple chase, produced a podium finish with her 2:46:52, good for third place. Placing fourth and fifth respectively were Kenya’s Rael Jepyator Kamaiyo (2:50:10) and Rose Chesire (2:52:02). - RCJ, GMANews.TV