MANILA, Philippines - Cindy Lorenzo prevented the Kenyans from sweeping both divisions by ruling the distaff side of the 25th Yakult 10-Miler yesterday on a route that started and ended at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.
The 24-year-old Roxas City native who now resides in Dasmariñas, Cavite, outraced Kenyan Susan Jemutai in the last six kilometers to notch the win in 1:02.27, averting a Kenyan sweep after Elphiz Kipngettich ruled the men’s side in 48:57.
“There was no turning back the moment I pulled away,†said Lorenzo, who won P7,000 plus trophy, medal, and a pair of Mizuno running shoes.
“Probably, the Kenyan got burned out because she runs almost every weekend. She competes in almost every race,“ she added.
Aileen Tolentino checked in third in 1:03.31, edging Mary Grace de la Torre(1:10.37) and Pinky de Leon (1:11.08).
The Kenyans bagged the first five places in the men’s division with Jackson Chirchir placing second in 49:29, followed by John Kiprop Samoe (50:13), Eliva Kering (51:59) and Willy Tanui (52:37).
Race director Rudy Biscocho said he allowed the Kenyans to run to give local runners the opportunity to gauge their running skills against foreign runners.
“Allowing foreign runners like the Kenyans is one way to measure the Filipinos’ competitiveness in the field of running. The Kenyans are good in long distance running but they are vulnerable,†said Biscocho.
Junrel Bendoy topped the 5K run in 15:16, beating Diosmar Garcia (15:22) and Danilo Rapadas (17:01).
Jessa Mae Jaromay won the distaff side in 18:27, followed by Sealand Agana (21:16) and Carmencita Obmina-Mua (24:21).
In the 3K age group, the winners were Simon Exeqier Callang (boys 6-9 years old, 19:07), Nicole Najial (girls, 26:45), Modrick Euyom (10-12, 11:46) and Allysa Jaroma (girls, 17:25).
Close to 3,000 runners competed in the 25th edition of the annual race supported by Mizuno.