INQUIRER Sports

MANILA, Philippines -- Dark horse Kenyan Hillary Lagat gatecrashed what had been billed as a race between the two top Filipino runners on Sunday to rule the first Clark Freeport International Marathon in Clark Field, Pampanga.

The 30-year-old Lagat took the front to stay with just two kilometers left, winning his first marathon in five tries with a time of two hours, 26 minutes and 29 seconds.

Victory was worth $7,000 (about P285,000) for the Kenyan who was just too tough for Cresenciano Sabal, who finished 19 seconds adrift, and Sabal’s chief rival and RP record-holder Eduardo Buenavista, who led in the first 20 km only to quit due to exhaustion.

Sabal, the reigning Milo Marathon national champion, took home P150,000.

Juniel Languido settled for third in 2:29:05 and won P75,000 prize while Cresenciano’s younger brother Elmer came home fourth, worth P35,000.

“Filipinos are strong runners,” said Lagat, who promised to defend his title next year. “Good thing the weather here is good, just like in Kenya.”

Southeast Asian Games veteran Jho-an Banayag topped the ladies race, clocking 3:02.51 to win by more than 4 minutes over Cristabel Martes (3:07.36).

Milo Marathon queen Flordeliza Carreon was third in 3:10:12.

Banayag also pocketed $7,000 with Martes and Carreon getting P150,000 and P75,000, respectively.

Buenavista and another Kenyan, Wilson Songkok, showed the way for an eight-man lead pack up to the 20-km mark of the 42.195 km race but relinquished the lead to Sabal, Lagat, Juniel Languido and Elmer Sabal as the group reached the halfway point.

Languido and Elmer Sabal eventually dropped back as Cresenciano and Lagat set a torrid pace in the final 7 km.

After Lagat built a 15-meter lead with just 2 km to go, Sabal failed to summon a second wind and stagnated behind the eventual winner.

“Akala ko maaabutan ko siya malapit sa finish line pero kinapos (I thought I could still catch him as we neared the finish line but I fell short),” said Sabal.

The 25-year-old Banayag, who captured the marathon bronze medal in the Thailand Southeast Asian Games, decided to compete here only last week and lacked practice. But she showed why she’s the country’s No. 1.

Estela Mamac-Diaz of Davao City placed fourth and Ailene Tolentino fifth.

The 10K side event was ruled by Philip Ronoh of Kenya in the men’s race and by Mercedita Manipol of Romblon in the women’s division.

The 5K winners were Nelbert Ducusin and Bernadette Magaso.

For results of the Clark International Marathon, log on to www.clarkmarathon.com.