A year after quitting mid-way through the race, Kenyan Philip Ronoh won his first men's title in the Cebu City Marathon in 2 hours, 53 minutes and 28 seconds Sunday at the Cebu IT Park in Barangay Lahug, Cebu City.

Ronoh, who finished second in 2010 and fourth in 2011, quit 30 kilometers into the race last year due to pain in his right knee.

He felt pain again this year, but managed to hold on to win.

“In marathon, anything can happen and anything can affect your performance. You just have to try and try until you succeed," he said.

Ronoh said he was elated that he returned to give the Cebu Marathon another try and finally won it. "I had a fine race and the weather was good. I ran my own pace and I was able to get the lead in the 33rd kilometer," he said.

Paul James Zafico, who finished second in the local division last year, came 12 minutes off his personal best last year but finished second, this time in the men's overall division.

“There were fewer Kenyans who joined this year so the locals have a bigger chance to make a podium finish," said Zaficio, who finished one second over three hours compared to his time of 2:48 last year.

Dipolog City's Ronald Retes got third place in 3:00:55.

In the women's division, Irene Kipchumba won her third straight title and set a personal best of two hours, 56 minutes and 40 seconds.

She was ahead by more than an hour of the women's runners and her time was even good enough for second place in the men's division.

“I wanted to defend my title so I came back. I also wanted to improve my time and see how far my training is doing in preparation for a Taiwan marathon in March," said the 23-year-old Kipchumba whose previous personal best was 2:58.

Cebuana Rhodora Oporto, an ultra-marathoner, got second place in 3:56:52, while Preciosa Sanchez got third place in 4:00:17.

In the local men's division, 29-year-old Wilbert Laurecio of Dumaguete City won the title in 3:04:52, beating Alvirg Busa, who had a time of 3:09:36. Bruce Belotindos got third place in 3:17:41.

In the women's division, Sandra Soliano got the title in 4:00:38 over Virgina Prajenog (4:02:21) and Mary Luz Shimizu (4:07:25.)

On the other hand, reigning Milo Marathon women's champion Mary Joy Tabal defended her crown in the 21K, finishing in 1:22:08. Jhanine Eve Mansueto was a distant second at 1:33:35, while Mischelle Gilbuena got third place in 1:38:47.

“It was my most enjoyable run ever. The route was perfect and safe for everyone," said Tabal, who added that it was the first time for her to dance, wave and scream while running.

Tabal also said her 21K triumph was a perfect step in her preparation for another 21K race in Hong Kong on Jan. 25.

Davao City's Elmer Bartolo topped the men's 21K in 1:16:23, beating John Daryl Manos (1:18:05) and Arnold Unabia (1:19:05).

In the 10K, Prince Joey Lee got the title in 34:34 over Michael Largo (35:21) and Azlan Pagay (37:15), while the women's 10K was a family affair with two of the Andrin sisters in the top three.

Cherry Andrin got the crown in 40:10, 21 seconds over Ruffa Sorongon, while sister Lovely Fe was third in 44:10.

Meanwhile, organizers of the Cebu Marathon, which attracted more than 3,000 runners, promised a bigger race next year.*PNA

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