Sydney marathon

After the years of virtual running, the Sydney Marathon was back on the road. Kenyan Moses Kibet also recorded the fastest time in Australian soil when he won in 2:07:03.  It was also the first time that four runners went  under 2:08. Again, it was a show of force by the Kenyans and the Ethiopians who almost swept the top ten. Kibet’s compatriot Cosmas Matolo, came in second in 2:07:05.  Then it was three Ethiopians who followed. Deso Gelmisa was third in 2:07:08,  Abebe Negewo wound up fourth in 2:07:26 while Okika settled for fifth in 2:11:23.  Kenyan Marius  Kipserem pocketed sixth in 2:13:40.  The best Australian finisher was Reece Edwards who took seventh I 2:17:24, followed by another Kenyan Edwin Kiplagat in 2:18:12.  Japan’s Kensuke Horio  was ninth in 2:20:07 with James Nipperess of Australia  round off the top ten in 2:27:47.

Women’s Division

It was the same story in the distaff side as the Ethiopians placed eight runners in the top ten. Tigist Girma of Ethiopia won the race in 2:25:10 while Letebrhan Haylay Gebreslasem was second in 2:25:45 Eritrea’s Nazret Gebrehiwet came in third  in 2:26:14, 4th Rahma Tusa (Ethiopia, 2:26:30) 5th Yeneshe Dinkesa(Ethiopia, 2:27:04), 6th Fanfu Jimma (Ethiopia 2:27:16), 7th Helalaia Johannes (Nambia, 2:31:10) 8th Adaneca Anbese (Ethiopia 2:34:14), 9th Mai Fusisawa(Japan, 2:45:40), and 10th Alemtsehay Asefa (Ethiopia, 2:47:40).

Buenos Aires Marathon 

Ultramarathoner Bro. Carlo Bacalla, a Cebuano who used to be assigned in Don Bosco in Punta Princessa then in Laos, is now in Argentina.  He was transferred to Buenos Aires just recently. Bro. Carlo who is a member  of the Cebu Executive Runners Club (CERC) sent me a message that he ran the Buenos Aires Marathon two weeks ago.  He said it was his first marathon after the pandemic and had to start from scratch.  In fact, I gave him some advice to start real slow, as he lacks mileage.  When the smoke cleared,  Bro. Carlo clocked 5:20, not bad for  one who has been inactive for sometime.  Bro, Carlo has finished the 102-kilometer Bataan Death Match a few years ago.  Congratulations  brother.  Good job!

Kenyans Rule

Again, the Kenyans stamped their class in the Buenos Aries Marathon by winning the men’s and women’s crown. Victor Kipchirchir towed two more Kenyans for a sweep of the men’s division, winning in 2:07:05, while compatriots Kibet Kiptoo and Victor  Kiplimo pocketed second and third places respectively in 2:09:32 and 2:11:43.  In the women’s  division, KenyanRhoda Jepkorir claimed the crown in 2:26:53 while Lemewhe Bitew of Ethiopia prevented another Kenyan sweep by placing second in 2:28:00.  Kenyan Chekop Jemutai wound up third in 2:28:56.