Rare challenge awaits Dueñas in Defy 123 Triathlon

REIGNING 37th Milo Marathon Cebu Leg 21k king John Philip Dueñas will take on a different kind of triathlon challenge this Sunday as he joins the Defy 123 Triathlon starting at the Bellevue Beach Resort in Panglao Island, Bohol.

Dueñas tests his endurance as he joins a triathlon event that offers a 110-kilometer bike route, a one-kilometer swim stretch and a 12k run.

It will be a huge challenge for Dueñas since this will be the first time for him to join this kind of a triathlon event.

“I’m prepared and I’m going to focus myself mainly in the bike portion of the race because it’s going to be a very tough challenge,” said Dueñas, who recently finished fourth in the men’s Filipino elite category of the Safeguard Active 5150 Triathlon Race in Subic Bay last Sunday.

Aside from the challenging route, Dueñas will also have to fend off top contenders such as Augusto Benedicto, Franklin Peñalosa and Joseph Miller.

For Dueñas, his advantage will be his strong will to win and the experience he earned in the tough races he joined.

Meanwhile, race director and organizer Guy Concepcion said this race will legalize drafting. This will be unlike the other triathlon events which bans drafting. /correspondent Dale G. Rosal