Peñalosa, Jopson rule Tabuelan triathlon

FRANKLIN Peñalosa and Amale Mendezona-Jopson ruled their respective divisions in yesterday’s Tabuelan 111 triathlon race at the Maravilla Beach.

Jopson bettered her second-place finish last year to become this year’s female open champion after she breasted the tape with a time of five hours, 44 minutes and 34 seconds.

Fellow Cebuano Lorhiz Echavez crossed the finish line in 6:01:33 to finish second. Third place was won by Sen. Pia Cayetano, who clocked 6:07:14.

Penalosa, on the other hand, snatched the male elite title with a time of 4:37:31.

John Philip Duenas crossed the finish line with a time of 4:41:35 to place second while veteran triathlon Noy Jopson rounded the top three finishers with his time of 4:46:28.

In the male 18-24 category, Jeremie Dansereau-Lemieux reigned supreme. Kristiane Lim took the male 25-29 title while Jose Merdino Lim won the male 30-34 category. Other winners were Javy Olives (male 35-39), Eugene Sanchez (male 40-44), Adolf Minoza (male 45-49) and Alejandro Nitollama (male 50-54).

The half-distance was dominated by Louie Villacin and Larry Bril.

Villacin clocked 2:57:51 to clinch the female open title while Bril finished with 2:34:04 for the male open title.

The relay full distance was topped by The Pantry, whose members combined for a time of 5:05:36.

Among the Tabuelan locals, reigning supreme in the relay half distance was Barangay Tabunok with a time of (2:31:40).  /CORRESPONDENT MARS G. ALISON