Triathlon rising

I just couldn't stay away from Plantation Bay Resort and Spa last Sunday. It seemed 1997 all over again when I directed the Gatorade Everyman Triathlon series that heralded the rise of triathlon in Cebu. Despite the emergence of new faces in the 2011 Speedo National Age Group Triathlon, I still saw some of the original cast that propelled the sport to the next level. It was the same route and finish line with the swim segment held in the lagoon. Former Ironman 70.3 Pinoy champion Noy Jopson was still in the Junior Division and was lurking in the shadows of Abet Alon-Alon, Alvin Alindogan, George Vilog, Bacolod's Mark Candelaria and John Abdul. Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP) executive director Boying Rodriguez was extremely excited with over 200 participants. Some of the old fixtures in the triathlon that I noticed included Eugene Sanchez and Neil Reyes. The sad part however was the congested bike route. (Of course, there were lesser people around Marigondon 14 years ago) I'm beginning to believe that unless we close the route entirely, the bike segment will always pose danger. As I mentioned, there are a lot of new faces that have grown tired of the weekly road races. In fact, several priests including Monsignor Siongjo Tan took part. I even joked Fr. Siongjo, "Naghuwat ang mga tao sa simbahan, wala ba kuno misa?" Fr. Siongjo shot back, "Sa hapon pa." Well, I'm happy having been one of those who started the sport here. Triathlon is indeed on a comeback trial.

Timex International Triathlon

     A lot of people still believe the 1997 TIMEX International Triathlon held in Shangri-La Mactan Resort Hotel was the best in Cebu or probably even in the country. Imagine 15 world-class triathletes including then world champion Jackie Gallagher and American legend Scott Molina who has won 105 triathlons. The other triathletes were eventual champion Lach Vollmerhause of Australia, 1990 Australian Ironman champion Rod Cedaro, Olympian Belinda Cheney, Lizel Moore and the beautiful Gina Derks (Speedo model).   The triathlon was Cebu's biggest event drawing over 200 participants, coming from Japan, Hong-Kong, Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore. Organizer Chris Hanselman designated yours truly as assistant race director. The swim was staged in the Hilutungan Channel with the finish line at the Lapu-Lapu Shrine in Mactan. One of the most applauded participant then was one-legged triathlete, Rudy Fernandez of Iloilo City.

Merlita Wins Mayor Run

An excited Merlita Arias Dunkin called me to inform that she won the women's division of the Mayon 80K Trail run held in Mt. Mayon, Legaspi City. Merlita said she defeated the top seeded Kenyan runner, Peris Poyou, despite suffering cramps in the 75 km mark. Looking at the $ 500 champion purse, Merlita (the fighter that she is) summoned her last remaining strength to repulse the Kenyan, beating her by 9 minutes. Two days earlier, Merlita called me and asked if I could persuade organizers to ban the Kenyans. I told her it's rather impossible to do that since it's their right to join the race being open to everyone. I just told her to stay focus and give her best shots, assuring her she's a mountain runner having participated in the Mt. Kinabalu Climbathon and the Cebu 50K Ultramarathon. Merlita must have told the Kenyan "Pag puyo diha, oi" Merlita, blow out ha? Dunkin donuts lang!

Notes:

Registration to the May 1 Labor Day Coast to Coast 65KM Ultramarathon is still ongoing at RUNNR with 100 runners from Cebu alone already entered. The Parklane International Hotel-organized Hunat Sugbu 15k run is also in full swing at RUNNR, Casa Ilongga Robinson's Place Place and at PSC Office Cebu City Sports Center.