Three-peat for Echavez in 6th Olango Challenge

Multi-titled swimmer Loren Dale Echavez clinched her third straight title in the  Olango Challenge by ruling yesterday’s 6th edition of the race at the Crimson Resort and Spa in Lapu-Lapu City.

Gusty, as she is fondly called by family and friends, said she did not expect to achieve a grandslam since she thought that the 6-kilometer competitive category was going to be a mixed competition this year.

“My training paid off, considering that I had to balance it with my on-the-job training,” Echavez said.

Echavez failed to compete in the event’s first two editions and finished second in 2010 in what was to be her first open-water race.

Back then she admitted she was hesitant to pull ahead of the pack because she feared going astray from the race course, being a first timer.

The next year, the University of San Carlos (USC) tanker finally nailed her first title and successfully defended it last year.

“I know Keith (Ashley Ocampo) was going to compete and he is faster than me so I didn’t really expect to win,” Echavez said believing that it would be a mixed race.

OCAMPO GRABS MEN’S TITLE

Ocampo, a fellow USC tanker, grabbed the men’s 6K competitive title.

Echavez finished the race in one hour, 38 minutes and 54.81 seconds while Ocampo clocked 1:38:17.66.

Both tankers who are representing Team RAFI had agreed to stay together through the entire race course, but Ocampo said he pulled ahead of Echavez close to the finish line when he realized that trailing them closely was Cebu Blue Marlins-SC’s Michael Ichiro Kong.

Kong eventually settled for second place in the men’s side with a time of 1:39:21.13.

Both said that the course this year was a bit tougher and the water current was also stronger in this part of the Hilutungan Channel. Ocampo added he had problems with weeds that clung to his body. He said it was itchy and its edges were a bit painful to the skin.

Romylin Nina Ignacio (1:59:56.76) and Trina Caneda (2:00:29.16) finished second and third, respectively in the women’s race. Both are also members of the Cebu Blue Marlins-SC.

Completing the top 3 in the men’s 6k competitive was Jeremie Dansereau-Lemieux, who clocked 2:03:56.59.

Topping the men’s 2K competitive race was Jesse “John” Arriola Jr. with his time of 35:04.98.

Coming in less than four minutes later was Aaron Grant Embuscado while finishing third was Lister Ray Tungala.

Ruling the distaff side was Beth May Arellano (40:22.84) of Cebu Blue Marlins-SC followed by Diane Megan Ong and Danielle Mae Ballesteros.

The mixed 6K fun category title was grabbed by Earl Jason Bilangdal while Rico Enriquez and Robert Bernard Tan finished second and third, respectively.

The mixed 2K fun category was won by Jey Pe Campania followed by Cris Cyril Sator at second and Jenido Fariolen at third.