Ethiopians make surprise domination at MILO® Marathon Cebu
CEBU City: The heat is on at the National MILO® Marathon with not only Kenyans but also Ethiopians rocking local competition and advancing to the National finals.
Mikael Tesfaye and Mailemariam Kansay of Adis Ababa, Ethiopia carved a 1-2 finish last Sunday at the premiere male category of the race’s regional eliminations in Osmena Boulevard, Cebu.
The 25-year-old Tesfaye, fresh from his triumph in the 21-k category of the 2011 Camarines Sur International Marathon last week, crossed the finish line in 1:09:33, while compatriot Kansay followed seconds after with 1:09:37.
On the distaff side, Genet Agtew, also a full-time athlete from Adis Ababa, completed the Ethiopian domination with a time of 1:24:16, outpacing 2010 MILO Marathon Cebu champion and current RP team standout Mary Joy Tabal who finished at 1:27:25.
The Ethiopian runners, also members of Mesgana Athletics Club under Tsegaye Gebrezidoner Kebedew have been in the country for two weeks under the invitation of Bacolod running coach Frank Echevarria.
“We were invited by Coach Frank to compete locally to heighten the level of competition in the local race and we’ve been trained hard for the race by practicing at least twice a day, alternating between speed workouts, endurance and long distance running,” says Kebedew. The group will be staying in the Philippines to train for the December finals.
Sharing his runners’ strategy, Kebedew shares "Coming into the competition, I advised my runners to keep up with the pace of competition when the rest are fast, and never be complacent when others pace slow.”
So overpowering were the Ethiopians that they relegated the Kenyans led by Josphat Kiptanji to third place with a clocking of 1:09:45, and last year's Metro Manila elims titlist Abraham Missos to a distant fourth in 1:12:58. Another Kenyan Francis Kakaui ended fifth in 1:14:14.
2010 Cebu leg winner Adonis Singson remained the top Filipino runner, but his 1:15:56 finish was good enough for sixth place. “I tried to keep up with the lead pack of Ethiopians and Kenyans who ran very fast and strong. I exerted full energy to try to outpace them but I lost my energy and grew tired at the 5K mark. I slowed down from then,” says Singson.
On the distaff side, Mary Jane Beboso settled for third at 1:39:52 followed by Cebu’s Running Queen Madelyn Carter finished at 1:43:02 while Sandra Soliano clutched fifth at 1:45:47
A field of 19,040 runners participated in the race, including Cebu City Mayor, Michael Rama and singer actress Donna Cruz, making the Cebu qualifying leg the biggest regional leg. From the race, 32 age group qualifiers will advance to the Manila Finals to stand the chance to win Php 300,000 for both men and women’s championship.
 Another 500 pairs of shoes were donated by Nestle officials to the students of Apas National High School, Inayawan Elementary School, Abellana Nationahl High School, Don Vicente Rams Memorial High School and Barrio Luz Elementary School, as part of the National MILO® Marathon “Help Give Shoes” advocacy program.
A total of 4,200 pairs of shoes were extended to public school children nationwide last year and this year the organizer is targeting 10,000 more shoes to be donated to 100 schools to 100 students all over the country in line with the company’s 100th year celebration
From the Queen city of the South, the 17-leg eliminations will proceed to Tagbilaran on Oct 9, Cagayan De Oro (Oct 16), Butuan (Oct 23), General Santos ( Oct 30) and the Davao City leg on Nov. 6 with the Manila Finals slated on December 11.
The National MILO® Marathon is made possible by event sponsors, Bayview Hotel, Powerade, Summit, Timex, Air21 and Department of Education in cooperation with local race organizer, Ricky Ballesteros.
For the full results of the Cebu National MILO Marathon eliminations and how to be part of its advocacy, visit the exciting new MILO® website via www.MILO.com.ph or be a fan of MILO® Philippines on Facebook.
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