PILI, Camarines Sur – Nathan Naibei of Kenya led from start to finish yesterday and claimed his first marathon victory on Philippine soil – the Summit Water Camsur Marathon.

The 25-year-old Naibei got token resistance from the rest of the participants in the country’s biggest marathon race ever to win it all with a time of two hours, 25 minutes 14 seconds.

James Tallani and Hailemosiam Kahsay, part of the small group that traveled all the way from Africa, finished second and third with their respective times of 2:29:17 and 2:30:17.

They will home with their cash prizes of P125,000 for first, P90,000 for second and P50,000 for third.

“Not bad,” said Naibei, who hails from Kenya’s western town of Eladoret where he owns a one-storey building which he rents out to support his family, including two kids aged four and two.

“This is my first time in the Philippines but this will not be the last. I will come back here,” he said, adding that the prize money will be used for the improvement of his business back home.

In the women’s side of the elite category, Rose Jepkembol Chesire of Kenya won in 2:50:26 followed by a pair of local runners that made the host, Camsur Gov. L-Ray Villafuerte, proud.

Ailene Tolentino was second in 3:12:39 while Cynthia Jaro came in third in 3:20:17. They also got P125,000, P90,000 and P50,000, respectively, for their feats.

“I managed to keep her (Chesire) company until the 20 km mark but when she pulled away, I opted to run my own race. It wouldn’t have helped me trying to catch her,” said Tolentino.

Organizers of this race that drew a total of 21,000 participants offered the same amount in prizes for the locals led by Eric Panique of Antipolo who ruled the men’s side in 2:28:03.

He was followed by Mendel Lopez in 2:34:11 and veteran marathoner and multi-titled Cris Sabal who crossed the finish inside the Camsur Watersports Complex in 2:35:03.

“I just maintained my own pace,” said Panique, who would have loved to compete in the coming SEA Games, but said couldn’t get the slot under the Philippine team.

In the distaff side of the 42 km race for locals, Mary Grace delos Santos reigned supreme with her 2:59:53. Second was Monalisa Ambasa (3:15:17) and Miscelle Gilbuena (3:31:27).

The runners in the full marathon were flagged off at exactly 4 a.m., and shortly after the participants in the 21K, 10K, 5K and 3K side events took their turns.

There were 8,000 runners who took part in the 5K run and more than 8,500 in the 3K run. The starting area was so thick with runners it took more than five minutes to clear after they were fired off.

For each of the participant, Villafuerte said 10 trees will be planted, meaning in the coming days they will plant 210,000 trees as part of the El Verde program and this year’s theme “Race to a Green Philippines.”

In the men’s 21K event, Mikael Kahsay of Ethiopia emerged the winner at 1:10:57 followed by Kenya’s Benjamin Kipkazi (1:11:34) and Kering Eluid (1:11:49).

In the women’s side, it was Genet Agtew, also of Ethiopia, towing the field in 1:22:22. Local girl Mary Joy Tabal was second in 1:24:31 followed by Kenya’s Rhoda Chelrikui in 1:25:10.

For the local 21K, Brian Lupio of Team Phoenix won in 1:15:54 followed by Gerald Sabal of Manila (1:16:02) and Alquin Bolivar of the Philippine Army (1:16:14).

In the women’s side, Flordeliz Donos of Baguio showed the way in 1:26:57, Luisa Raterta of Sta. Rosa, Laguna in 1:30:12 and Maricil Maquilan of Manila in 1:36:02.

Overall winners in the 21K took home P40,000 for first, P30,000 for second and P20,000 for third. In the local 21K, prizes were P20,000, P15,000 and P10,000, respectively.