Echavez-Lopez, Biagan rule Oslob triathlon

Oslob—Before venturing into triathlon, Abet Biagan and Lorhiz Echavez-Lopez have been known as two of Cebu’s more accomplished swimmers.

Yesterday, both triathletes leaned on their strong swimming backgrounds to tame the choppy waters off Bohol Strait and bag the top plums in the centerpiece Standard category of Parklane International Hotel’s “Hunat Sugbo Triathlon” in wind-swept Oslob in southern Cebu.

Biagan of Fish18 Sport, emerged third fastest in the 1.5 kilometer swim leg and gradually made ground in the succeeding 40k bike before snatching the lead in the 10k run to finish in 2 hours, 14 minutes and 25 seconds.

Elmo Clarabal of EquiCredit came in second (2:24:19) while Ralph Arche of Parklane Tri Team bagged the bronze in 2:25:00.

“All my hard work paid off,” declared the 38-year-old Biagan, who was once a member of the National Triathlon Team.

“The swim leg was really difficult. I think it was the second most difficult swim leg in my years of competing in triathlons, next only to the one when we swam in the middle of a storm,” said the Mandaue City native who is sponsored by Fish18 and Vellum bikes.

Biagan revealed that he trains six days a week, specializing in two disciplines per training day.

And the hard work reaped dividends. He received P5,000, a trophy, a gold medal and gift packs from the event sponsors.

Like Biagan and the other participants, Lopez also complained about the gigantic waves and strong winds that battered the beach near the Oslob Heritage Park where the event started and finished.

And like Biagan, she came through with flying colors, capturing the top women’s crown in 2:46: 16 followed by Nia Aldeguer (2:48:32) and Hannah Lou Galo of Parklane Tri Team (2:57:22).

Lopez who has established national records in the Palarong Pambansa and the National Prisaa, has a one-and-a-half year-old son. She will be competing in the Cebu City Marathon this January and the 2014 Ironman 70.3 Philippines in Lapu-Lapu City.

SPRINT CATEGORY

Kristianne Lim of Parklane Tri Team ruled the Male Sprint category in 1:42: 01 nipping multi-titled kiddies champion Yuan Chiongbian (1:42:19) and Ralph Eduard So (1:42:41) of Magic Stationary Product.

Meanwhile, 13-year-old Aaliyah Mataragnon (Magic Stationary Prod) showed her potential in the lung-busting sport by topping the Female Sprint division in 1:49:32. Shaia Ruth Uy (Team Cebu) came in second in 1:55:14 while Iloilo MultiSports’ Christine Joy Guillergan finished third in 2:08:06.

CATEGORY WINNERS

25-29 Male: 1st- Paul kaje Castillo (Tri Omega Pro); 2nd- Oliver Portillano (Iloilo Multisport); 3rd- Miguel Antonio Gonzalez (TriOne)

30-34 Male: 1st- Franklin Echevarria (Frunk-Trinity); 2nd- Pablo Garcia III (Tri-ASG); 3rd- Jeremy Jordan (TriOne).

35-39 Male: Alan Leith Ting (Parklane Tri Team); 2nd- Ritchie Armogenia (TriOne); 3rd- Oscar Margen Jr (Train).

40-44 Male: 1st Cary Marlowe Remotigue (TriOne); 2nd- Leonard Angeles Jr (Equicredit); 3rd- Alejo Manuel Trabasas (Train).

45-49 Male: 1st- Ricardo Paulo Yusay (Train); 2nd- Michael Sarrosa (Train); 3rd- Alberto Solis jr (Patt’s Tri).

50-and above Male: 1st- Jose Ricardo Dizon; 2nd- Allen Nitollama (Tri Bohol); 3rd- Joaquin Moreno (Train)

18-29 Female: 1st- Natalia Joy Sy (Train); 2nd- Michelle Go (Convergys); 35-39 Female: 1st- June-Marq Ocaña of Hard Multisport.

Race director Benjoe Jimenez said results in the Team Relay and other age divisions were put on hold pending further verification. /with Correspondent Mark Tongco