INQUIRER Sports

KENYAN runner Richard Mutisyu capitalized on the absence of some of the big names in Philippine marathon to easily rule the 2009 Adidas King of the Road 21K race Sunday morning at the Bonifacio High Street in Taguig.

Sharing the limelight with the Kenyan was Nhea Ann Barcena, a member of the national pool, who topped the women?s race.

The 22-year-old Mutisyu achieved the feat just hours after posting a fifth-place finish in the 42.195-kilometer Subic International Marathon Saturday night.

His clocking of one hour, 13 minutes and 17 seconds earned him the P10,000 top purse.

The time, however, was way slower than the 1:07:28 that four-time KOTR winner Eduardo Buenavista set when he ruled the race in 2007.

Buenavista begged off from joining the race to focus on his preparations for the Southeast Asian Games in Laos.

Former champions and national athletes Jho-An Banayag and Mercedita Manipol-Fetalvero also did not see action.

The Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association earlier issued a memorandum barring SEA Games-bound national athletes from competing in races beyond 10K.

Darwin Lim, a student-athlete from Far Eastern U, took second place, finishing two minutes and 29 seconds behind Mutisyu.

Barcena finished the race in 1:33:23 to beat veteran runner Mila Paje and triathlete Ani Karina De Leon, who finished second and third, respectively, in the race that drew about 7,000 runners.

Christabel Martes, who ruled the Milo Marathon early this month, reigned supreme in the 10K race in 37:47, while Reynand Novallasca (35:27) topped the men?s division.

Topping the 5K fun run of the event organized by Rudy Biscocho were Palarong Pambansa gold medalist Mervin Guarte (20:27) and Michelle De Vera (27:22).