Letesentbet Gidey of Ethiopia continued the charge to dislodge the Kenyan’s domination of the marathon,in the process setting a new world record in the Valencia Half Marathon in Spain. The 23-year old Gidey, clocked one hour, two minutes and 52 seconds(1:02:52). Genetu Molalign also of Ethiopia, came in second at 1:03:44, although she had the same clocking with Yalem Zerp Yehualaw still another Ethiopian, who once held a 1:03:44 world’s best, but was disqualified because the route was found out to be short by 54 meters. She was declared third. Shiela Chepkikui and Brenda Jepleting of Kenya, prevented an Ethiopian sweep as they placed fourth and fifth in 1:04:53 and 1:05:44 respectively. Sixth to eight places were all Ethiopians, 6th Bosena Mulate (1:06:00), 7th Nigsti Haftu (1:06:17) and 8th Hawi Feysa. Gidey is also the reigning world champion in the 5,000m (14:06:62) and the 10,000m (29:01:03) and won the bronze medal in the 10,000m in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Men’s Division
While the Ethiopian women dominated the race, it was the complete opposite in the men’s division. Eight Kenyans led by Abel Kipchumba were in the top ten with Ethiopians Muktar Edris and Mathew Kimeli, preventing a shutout. Kipchumba timed 58:07 followed by Phonex Kipruto in 58:09 while Daniel Mateiko pocketed third in 58:26. The rest of the top are 4th Kennedy Kimutai(58:28),5th Philemon Kiplimo (58:34),6th Muktar Edris (58:40-Ethiopia), 7th Mathew Kimeli(58:43-Ethiopia),8th Kevin Kiptum (59:02). The rivalry continues on Nov 7 when the Kenyans and Ethiopians take to the road in the New York City Marathon.
Chaotic Hong Kong marathon
The Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon is a favorite race of Filipinos since its only two hours away by plane and less expensive than other international marathons. In fact, I’ve ran Hong Kong six times. However, this year’s edition was chaotic. Runners were ordered to cover up “political slogans” and tattoos like “Hong Kong add oil” before being allowed to compete. These idioms were phrases or battle cries heard during the 2019 protests. After a two year absence due to the pandemic, the marathon got off with the field limited to 15,000, a far cry from the 74,000 in 2019. The schedule of race which was normally held during a cold February, saw a lot of injuries like dehydration due to the hot weather. Some 400 runners were injured with 20,hospitalized. Participants were required to show negative Covid 19 test and proof of vaccination. There was also a bottleneck at the Western Harbour Tunnel, usually a smooth route. The race was devoid of top runners like the Kenyans who dominated the marathon for more than a decade. Local runners took advantage of the absence that allowed Wong Kai Lok to win the crown in a slow 2:31:10, ive minutes slower than Kenyan Barnabas Kiptum’s time in 2019. In 2009, I led first-time marathoners Joel Garganera, Allan Delantar, Arnold Palma, brothers Jerry and Jeson Guardo and Haide Acuna. In 2003, Tony and Pons Del Prado, Boyet Rentoy of Iloilo City and one-legged Rudy Fernandez joined the 10K event.It’s really sad that politics has again reared its ugly head to this event.