Echavez, Clarabal rule triathlon event

CEBU, Philippines - Lhoriz Echavez and Elmo Clarabal topped their respective divisions in the Cebu leg of the 2010 National Age-Group Triathlon (NAGT) Series yesterday at the Plantation Bay Resort and Spa.

Echavez of Mandaue City ruled the female 20-29 category with relative ease. She finished the sprint triathlon in two hours, five minutes and four seconds, beating even a bunch of male racers.

Janice Ann Bautista was a far second, while Katrina Jandoc came in third.

In the men’s side, Clarabal emerged as the fastest with the time of 1:45.29.

Ralph Arche settled for second in 1:47.45 followed by Franz Baguio in 1:50.43.

Noy Jopson took away the 35-39 crown with a 1:48.32 clocking, while the lesser-known Ronald Plantar placed second in 2:01.24. Ruel Cola, a former RP downhiller who is now with Plantation Bay, grabbed the third spot in 2:09.03.

It was actually a double celebration for the Echavez family as Lhoriz's brother Alexander won the boys’ 16-19 class with the time of with 2:26.1.

Ralph Martin Seos-e dominated the 20-24 class, Johnmar Tomano took away the 40-44 while Rory Roque was unopposed in the 45-49 racket and so was Lovelein Casidsid in the female 30-39 class.

American Charles Fletcher lorded it over in the 50-54 division with the time of 2:13.53, while Jose Ricardo Dizon landed at second in 2:15.46 followed by Todo Ferguson in 2:23.40.

John Sebastian Solon and Ruel Binolirao ruled the relay competition with an accumulated time of 1:56.26.

Saludian Blanco and Ronald Abing ended second with the time of 2:21.43, while Kristiane Lim and ChinChing Tan bagged the third place honors with a combined 2:30.20 clocking. – THE FREEMAN