Kenyans top Rexona Run anew

MANILA, Philippines—For the third straight year, Kenyans took center stage in the Rexona Adventure Run which started and ended at the SM Mall of Asia grounds in Pasay Sunday.

Jackson Chirchir topped the men’s solo 21K race in one hour, 9 minutes and 25 seconds, besting compatriots Musa Bett by just 14 seconds (1:09:39) and last year’s winner Benjamin Kipkasi (1:11:25).

Chirchir, already the winner of several races in the Philippines this year including the Condura Skyway Marathon, also placed third in the Unilab 21K race held only last Sept. 16 behind countrymen Samuel Kasia and Kipkasi.

Another Kenyan, Jackline Nzino, ruled the distaff race in 1:24:25, besting local ace Mary Grace Delos Santos who finished 12 seconds behind in 1:24:37 and last year’s champion Nhea Ann Barcena who was third in 1:32:00.

The top three placers pocketed P7,000, P5,500 and P4,000 in that order.

Local runners struck in the 21K relay races with Flor-deliza Donos and Jho-ann Banayag ruling the all-female race (1:25:23); Rafael Poliquit Jr. and Richard Salano the all-male division (1:10:21); and Lowemar Strella and Michelle Tibagacay (1:26:23) the mixed relay category.

Willy Rotich, the 2010 21K Rexona Run king, settled for the 5K title in 14:55. Fellow Kenyan Philip Ronoh was second (15:14) and veteran Rene Herrera third (15:25).

Jessa Mangsat topped the female side with a time of 19:55 while Lovely Gemeroy clocked 20:38 and Annaleah Cierva 24:48 for second the third places, respectively.