HERE come the Kenyans again. After failing to take the top spot of the podium in the past months, the vaunted Kenyan runners made a huge comeback statement by dominating the 15-kilometer race of the 2nd Recoletos Run dubbed 鈥淒agan Para Sa Iskolar ni Jose鈥� yesterday.
Douglas Mwiti led the Kenyan domination as he topped the 15k race by crossing the finish line at the Plaza Independencia in 51 minutes and 37 seconds .
Compatriots James Mibei (54:49) and Abraham Missous (55:43) trailed him at second and third places, respectively.
Locals Michael Largo and Joey Wacan settled for fourth and fifth, respectively, with times of 59:53 and 1:00:51.
Meanwhile, Mereis Ramirez edged Christy Sevilleno Tutor to clinch the title in the distaff side of the 15k race.
Ramirez clocked 1:09.38 while Tutor, a former running queen here in Cebu, finished in 1:16.02.
Emily Rosas of Danao City rounded off the top three runners with a time of 1:24.09.
Archimar Baynos and Nerissa Umbay topped the 5-kilometer run employee-faculty category.
Baynos clocked 22:45 to win the men鈥檚 race while Umbay finished in 34:04 to win the women鈥檚 crown.
The 5k students category was won by Larry Villordon and Jahara Marie Ouano.
Villordon topped the men鈥檚 race in 22:44 while Ouano breasted the finish line in 32:10 to take the women鈥檚 title.
In the 5k alumni category, Joshua Canada (22:30) placed first in the men鈥檚 race while Helen Dionson topped the 5k female category with a time of 26:38.
The race was organized by Josenians Inc., the alumni association of the University of San Jose-Recoletos. It aims to raise funds to support the school鈥檚 academic scholars. Joel Juarez was the race director. /CORRESPONDENT DALE G. ROSAL