Southeast Asian Games 2017 silver medalist John Chicano and 2018 Asian Games veteran Kim Kilgroe of the Philippine triathlon team emerged victorious in the National Age-Group Triathlon 2019 series opener held at San Bernardino inside Subic Bay Freeport yesterday.
In the Men’s Elite competition of the race organized by the Triathlon Association of the Philippines in cooperation with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Tourism Department, which attracted a record field of 731 entries, the first out of the 1.5 Km swim were JC Abad Kim Remolino followed by 21-year-old Filipino-Spanish triathlete Fer Casares (from Madrid), who is in the country aspiring to be selected in the Philippine team.
Chicano, who was only 4th in the swim leg, breezed through the first transition to catch up with lead pack in the windy 40 Km bike leg. Chicano and Casares entered the second transition together and battled toe to toe in the 10 Km run leg, which saw Chicano break away during the final two kilometers to win the gold with a time of 1:58:47.
Casares finished 2nd with 2:00:01 and 2018 national junior Andrew Kim Remolino of Cebu placed third with 2:02:12.
In the Women’s Elite competition of the event sponsored by the Philippine Sports Commission, Gatorade, Standard Insurance, Asian Centre for Insulation Philippines and the SBMA, Kilgroe led from start to finish in the absence of SEA Games gold and silver medalists Kim Mangrobang, who is in Portugal training, and Claire Adorna, who is attending to a family commitment.
Kilgroe finished first with 2:14:57, followed by comebacking Alexandra Ganzon 2:25:56 and Jacqui Lamparero with 2:30:32.
The Junior Elite Men Sprint Distance ((750 M swim – 20 Km bike – 5 Km run) saw Tonito Alejo (1:17:19) as champion, followed by Jacob Taylor (1:17:55) and Juan Baniqued (1:18:37).
In the Junior Elite Women, Karen Manayon (1:26:59) won the gold, followed by Lauren Plaza (1:29:26) and Erica Bulatao (1:35:01).
Standard Distance age-group champions were Kris Dinglasan (19-24), Heinrich Gasacao (25-29), Jhon Quinones (30-34), Ronald Mulit and Ines Santiago (35-39), Jualyn Asugbog and Mary Grace Ollindo (40-44), Abe Tayag and Vanj Endaya (45-49), Celma Hitalia (Female 50-above), Neil Ong (50-54), Dean Recupero (55-59) and Roman Totanes (60-above).
Sprint Distance age-group champions, on the other hand, were Mykelle Bulog and Clifford Pusing (16-19), Jess Belonio and Janina Garcia (20-29), Carlo Mejia and Jilliane Caancan (30-39), George Vilog and Ma. Victoria Fereria (40-49) and Peter Gonzales and An Ping Cua (50-above).
Super Sprint Distance champions were La Union Bull Sharks team members Ronel Victor Cruz and Lady Samantha Corpuz (13-15).
The Team Relay competition was won by E-Racing Multisport. All participants had difficulty in the bike leg of the race due to strong headwinds.
Complete race results can be viewed at Triathlon.org.ph and at TRAP’s Facebook page.
The NAGT series serves as TRAP’s main development and recruitment program from the grassroots level. The future events of the series will be held in Cebu, Dipolog City, Roxas City and Cagayan de Oro.
