We are dominated on the marathon distance by foreigners.
Photo: From nestle.com. Abraham Missos bags the 34th Milo Marathon Eliminations.
A glimpse on the top marathoners on local races reveal that 7 of 10 ranked marathoners are non Pinoys. David Kipsang, Willy Rotich, Abraham Missos, Sammy Kiptoo, Chepsiror Vincent, Samuel Tarustoo and Willy Tanui recorded marathon times of 2:28 - 2:44 hours.
Photo: From phomon.com. Eduardo "Vertek" Buenavista. He might be just a little taller than the orange traffic cone.. But he sure is mighty fast. He holds a marathon PR of 2:18 hours. His best 5Km is 13:58 minutes and his 10000m PR is 29:02 minutes.
With Vertek Buenavista not in the picture of local marathon races, somebody needs to defend the locals. Somebody needs to step up. Chris Sabal is not getting any younger. And at 2:32 hours, that's still far behind world class marathoners (2:06 - 2:10 hours). Vertek's 2:18 personal record is enough to topple the foreign domination on our local soil.
Without Vertek, a national representative on international track meets.. who will rise up to the challenge?
Current Champion: David Kipsang
Best Time: 2:27:54 hours, Chepsiror Vincent at the Subic International Marathon 2009
Most Promising: Elmer Sabal, 2:34:58 hours
Half Marathon
Perhaps the defenders of local elite marathoners can be found here at the half marathon distance.
Alley Quisay, Eric Panique, Darwin Lim and Frank Indapan have recorded very fast times of 1:10 -1:12 hours. I do hope Alley, Eric, Darwin and Frank can develop their skills and rise up on the marathon level in 2-3 years time. Their current half marathon pace can already compete with the foreign marathoners. But of course, half marathon endurance is just that.. half of the longer marathon distance.
Coach Rio Dela Cruz owned the 8th spot with a blistering time of 1:16 hours.
We will continue to track and support these guys!
And hopefully, we'll see them carry the torch of Pinoy marathoners competing alongside the dominating Kenyans.. and winning.
Current Champion: Alley Quisay
Best Time: 1:08:48 hours, Kember Kiberess at the Globe Run for Home 2010
Most Promising: Alley Quisay, 1:11:43 hours
10 Miler
Veteran runner Reynaldo Delos Reyes reigns as champion. But the latest name to buzz the 10-Mile distance is Bernardo Desamito Jr. He is quickly ascending to the throne.
Current Champion: Reynaldo Delos Reyes
Best Time: 51:16 minutes, Bernardo Desamito, Jr. at the Octoberun 2009
Most Promising: Bernardo Desamito, Jr.
15 km
Alley Quisay won the Philippine Independence Day 15Km event and overtakes Reynaldo Delos Reyes for the top spot.
Interestingly, Pinoy ace runner Vertek Buenavista participated on the Mizuno Infinity Run 2010 and recorded the best 15Km time of 48 minutes. Wow! Reminds me of the phrase "Little but Terrible."
Kenyan Willy Tanui spoils it for the Pinoy elites bagging the Globe and SanMig Coffee events.
Meanwhile, Pinoy bets Crifrankreadel Indapan, Gerald Sabal and Jessie Ano completes the top 10 with times of just 50-51 minutes.
Current Champion: Alley Quisay
Best Time: 48:58, Eduardo "Vertek" Buenavista at the Mizuno Infinity Run
Most Promising: Gerald Sabal, 50:15 minutes
10 km
Bernardo Desamito and Willy Tanui holds 3 10-kilometer championship titles a piece. Still, 22-year old Darwin Lim accumulated the most number of 10-kilometer points and is the current champion in this distance category.
Long time elite runner Jujet De Asis comes in second with new talents Irinio Raquin, Rafael Poliquit and Ferdinand Corpuz closely trails behind on points.
The 10-kilometer distance is one of the most common race distances in every racing events. And just as expected, this is a tough distance to compete in. Championship titles have been fairly divided amongst elite runners. And while Darwin Lim holds the most number of points this week, I would not be surprised if Jujet De Asis or Bernardo Desamito takes it away from him next week.
Current Champion: Darwin Lim
Best Time: 30:01, Darwin Lim at the Mizuno-Highlands Fun Run
Most Promising: Bernardo Desamito Jr and Ferdinand Corpuz
5 km
Mervin Guarte, the exciting wonder boy just rakes titles after titles and is still undefeated in the 5-kilometer distance. As such, I am giving him the title of being the Prince of Pinoy 5K Road Races. He has now 9 straight 5-kilometer championship titles! Ang galing mo! Mabuhay ka Mervin.
Veteran runners Jujet De Asis and Regie Lumauag piled up enough points to be in the Top 3. New talents Roger Denolo, Justin Tabunda, Rey Martin Santos, Gerald Sabal and Wenlie Maulas are making big splashes and quickly establishing their names in the 5-kilometer elite list.
Current Champion: Mervin Guarte
Best Time: 15:18, Mervin Guarte at the Condura Run 2010
Most Promising: Roger Denolo, Michael Bacong and Nickson Cuyom
3 Km
Michael Bacong dominates the 3-kilometer distance. He is the Prince of Pinoy 3K Road Races with 6 championship titles in this division.
Young kids Derek Amarante, Milbert Nabuab, Carlito Fantilaga, Miles Embuedo, Patrick Gongob, Raymond Abacam and Wenlie Maulas are some of the talents we could watch out for who may just be our next Pinoy running sensation.
Speaking of sensation.. Would it not be sensational if Michael Bacong was to challenge Mervin Guarte in a 5-kilometer road race. Would Michael beat Mervin? I was too excited to see that this showdown has happened on the Ateneo Big Blue Run Uphill Challenge. Mervin Guarte edges out Michael Bacong by the tip of his nose with a finish time of 17:28.52 minutes. Michael finished close with 17:30.15 minutes.
Current Champion: Michael Bacong
Best Time: 8:40, Patrick Gongob at Globe Run for Home 2010
Most Promising: Patrick Gongob and Adonis Lubaton
The Ladies Circle
Not to be outdone, our elite lady runners were able to barge into the top 10 lists of local races.
Imagine that. They can compete with the best of their male counterparts. Luisa Raterta, Nhea Ann Barcena, Genevieve Dela Pena, Ailene Tolentino, Serenata Saluan and Michelle De Vera are the ladies you ought to watch out for.
Check out the latest Fastest Pinoy List here.
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