Kiptanui: Local runners getting better

Saturday, December 31, 2011

THE frequency of the runs and the entry of the foreign runners have opened the opportunity for the local elite runners to challenge the Kenyans more often.

In fact, the frequent faceoff has helped them improve their performance against the foreign runners who have already moved in the city.

Have something to report? Tell us in text, photos or videos.

“The local runners have improved. Before I could easily win but nowadays it’s a bit tricky,” said Kenyan runner Josphat Kiptanui.

Kiptanui, who had been topping the previous runs, said that some local runners had approached him and asked for tips on how to train.

“I tell them. I share them what I know. I have no secrets,” said Kiptanui.

But because of the locals stepping up their game, Kiptanui also increased his speedwork and long runs to keep his advantage over them.

But for sprinter-turned-long-distance runner Mary Joy Tabal, local runners have improved especially that they now have the guts to face the Kenyans.

However, she noted that having them even in small races will be disadvantageous for the local elite runners, knowing how they can easily take the grand prize of the run.

“Useless na mu join ang ubang runners especially when they run because of the pot money,” Tabal said.

She emphasized that’s there’s a difference when local runners train to get the prize at stake and when they train to get level with the Kenyans.

Progress

Tabal agreed that in terms of progress, the women were able to successfully outshine the female Kenyans compared to men.

In fact, in the last Milo Marathon finals, the top four female finishers were all Filipino but it was a different story in the men’s division where Kenyans got hold of the top spots.

“Ang best time sa mga Kenyans, mas kusog pa sa Philippine record,” said Tabal.

Eduardo Buenavista holds the Philippine record for the men’s marathon at 2:18 but Kiptanui’s personal best is 2:15.

That’s why in some local races, some runners asked beforehand if any Kenyans were joining the run to make sure that they can land a place in the race.

“Pero kadaghanan gyud sa mga locals madiscouraged na to run if naa Kenyans kay sure sila ra gihapon mudaog,” said Tabal.

However, veteran organizer Ricky Ballesteros said local runners should see the entry of the foreign runners as an advantage.

During the press conference for the Sinulog Run last week, Ballesteros pointed out the winning times in the 21K division posted by Filipinos 20 years ago are even better than the winning times of the foreign runners in the 21K of the Milo marathon national finals.