International runners dominate Ayala Philippine Marathon

International runners ruled the Ayala Philippine Marathon held Sunday along Ayala Avenue in Makati.

Kenya’s Anderson Saitoti ruled the men’s 42K race after clocking 2:19:22, with Ethiopia’s Abdi Asefa Kabede finishing second in 2:20:22.

The Philippines’ Edsel Moral (2:25:42) and Eduard Flores (2:28:46) placed third and fourth, respectively, while Kenya’s Eric Chepsiror completed the top five with a time of 2:29:11.

In the women’s division, Ethiopia’s Beshadu Bekele Bedane emerged victorious in 2:44:52. Kenya’s Truphena Chepchichir came in second at 2:47:30, followed by Ethiopia’s Sifen Kidane Melka (2:52:53).

Kenya’s Pamela Chepkoech placed fourth in 2:58:01, while the Philippines’ Eloisa Cusi rounded out the top five with a time of 3:00:52.

The Ayala Philippine Marathon, joined by around 11,000 runners, also served as the first event of the Philippine Marathon Majors, organized by Runrio.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News