A NEWCOMER to the international stage and a battle-tested veteran stamped their class in the inaugural 5150 FAB Triathlon champions at the Freeport Area of Bataan on Sunday.
Local ace Erik Esperanzate shook off a sluggish swim with a blistering assault in the bike leg-his strongest discipline-before outhustling James Van Ramoga in the final run to secure the overall crown in the 1.5-km swim, 40-km bike and 10-km run race in two hours, 31 minutes and 47 seconds.
‘I poured it all in the bike, that’s my strength.and I just floated in the run leg,’ said Esperanzate as he relished a triumphant debut in his first international triathlon.
The 18-year-old standout from PUP Bataan, already a familiar face in local competitions and a former Batang Pinoy podium finisher in criterium cycling, pieced together splits of 29:03 (swim), 1:12:47 (bike) and 47:42 (run).
Ramoga came in second in 2:32:58 while Finland’s Jamo Makelainen snatched third place honors in 2:41:09.
In the women’s division of the inaugural race organized by Sunrise Events Inc. in cooperation with FAB, Nicole Andaya again proved why inaugural Olympic-distance races suit her perfectly, powering her way to the overall title with a decisive performance in the bike segment, where she recorded 1:29:37 on her way to a 2:52:53 total clocking.
She negotiated the swim in 28:32 and the run in 0:51:05.
‘I really like the bike course because of the climb.and pain is part of triathlon,’ said Andaya, who also won the first 5150 Dapitan last year. ‘But when you reach the top, you see the view of the whole Bataan, which I really enjoy.’
Nica Virtucio timed 3:00:23 to place second while Jayvee Guemo finished third in 3:01:52.
Esperanzate and Andaya topped their respective age groups-Esperanzate ruling the 16-19 division and Andaya leading the 30-34 bracket.
Other age-group winners in the 5150 FAB were (men’s division) Ramoga (20-24 – 2:32:58); Ivan Reyes (25-29 – 2:44:48); Adrian Gonzales (30-34 – 2:56:22); Cha Cruz (35-39 – 2:42:57); Jeremy Go (40-44 – 3:00:30); Makelainen (45-49 – 2:41:09); Jose Tindog (50-54 – 2:59:59); Dante Macalintal (55-59 – 2:56:56); Joseph Tuazon (60-64 – 3:32:04) and Manolo Sitchon (65-69 – 4:51:26);
(Women’s) Guemo (25-29 – 3:01:52); Mitsuki Tanaka-Tan (35-39 – 3:07:53); Cristine Montuya (40-44 – 3;04:31); Mishka Uytengsu (45-49 – 3:29:51); Anna Marie Rocillo (50-54 – 4:04:24); and Leoniza Gusilatar (55-59 – 4:36:49).
In the Sunrise Sprint, a 750-m swim, 20-km bike, and 5-km run, Natalie Loise won the women’s 25-29 title in 1:52:43, while Monique Martinez topped the 30-34 division in 1:57:53.
Other winners were Marylou Ang (35-39 – 2:07:22); Angeline Omilig (40-44 – 2:12:01) and Margie Reyes (60-64 – 3:05:12)
Sean Julian, on the other hand, timed 1:32:47 to rule the 16-19 in the men’s side, along with Adrian Bangkiling (20-24 – 1:24:42); Ryan delos Reyes (25-29 – 1:54:04); Paolo Cua (30-34 – 1:40:34); Bryan Degoma (35-39 – 1:44:43); Anthony Emperado (40-44 – 2:04:19); Alessio Giardino of Italy (45-49 – 1:36:07); Brian Castillo (50-54 – 1:47:31); and Raimo Kauttio of Finland (55-59 – 2:30:17).
FIT PH, bannered by Arden Gonzales and Paul Garcia and Mishka Uytengsu, captured the team competition in 16:58:37, while topping the relay event were BYBS Tri (women’s – 2:43:31); Project Z (men’s – 2:29:35); and The Usuals (mixed – 2:34:38).