Two-time Southeast Asian Games gold medalist Nikko Huelgas and Erika Nicole Burgos were a cut above the rest in the standard distance contest of the Vermosa Aquathlon 1, held recently at the world-class Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub in Imus City, Cavite.
Huelgas was unstoppable from start to finish as he finished the 500 meter swim- 5 kilometer run course in a swift 25 minutes and 54 seconds, easily winning the Male 25-29 age-group title.
Meanwhile, the next two fastest males were from the 18-24 category namely Juan Francisco Baniqued and Inaki Lorbes, who finished in 27:00 and 27:17, respectively.
Among the ladies in the event presented by Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub, Standard Insurance, Apollo Petroleum Jelly, Alviera, LeGarde L-Carnitine, Smart, official timing partner Garmin, hydration partners Pocari Sweat and Sip Purified Water, shoe partner Saucony and recovery partner Air Relax Massage Guns Philippines, Erika Nicole Burgos emerged as the Female 18-24 champion after clocking in 30:33. She was followed by Female 15-17 champion Olivia Kwon with 33:25 while Female 18-24 entry Bea Marie Quiambao registered the 3rd fastest time of 34:30.
The relay champions declared were Team AA (All-Female) composed of Mikaela Arroyo and Boo Pascual, Team Good Boiz (All-Male) composed of Hjalmar Pasaylo and Lorenzo Joaquin Solda, and Team GG (Mixed) composed of Gabriella Venturina and Mark Garin.
Nikko Huelgas, who won the SEA Games gold medals in 2015 and 2017, had high praise for the quality of the design of the race course stating that the lanes in the Olympic-sized swimming pool were spacious, while the angular roads around Vermosa provided nice challenge. This was also his first time ever to race in the venue.
Meanwhile, Get Coach’D coach Doray Ellis stated that their team’s preparations, which includes training at Vermosa, paid off nicely as their members won a huge number of awards across different age-groups.
For the past two years, their youth athletes developed their racing skills and became more competitive as they grew. Erika Nicole Burgos is a member of their team.
“Despite what has been going on around us, we are very happy with the huge turnout of participants as well as Bike King’s decision to push through with this first race we hosted this year. We are looking forward to hosting this June’s triathlon event and two more aquathlon events in the months to come,” said Vermosa operations manager Andrea Intalan.
The Top 20 finishers of the standard distance contest individual category in the event earned points for the simultaneous Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub Series and the Sun Life Aquathlon Series. The Top Aquathlete per age group will be declared later this year.
For complete race results and lists of winners (including the shorter distances) of Vermosa Aquathlon 1, visit http://bikekingphilippines.com.