Benedicto rules all-Filipino elite category

CEBU, Philippines - From vending ice in Paniqui,Tarlac, August Benedicto became the new face for Cobra Energy Drink after he emerged as the Filipino elite champion of the 2012 Ironman 70.3 Philippines, while Monica Torres stayed unbeaten in the distaff side.

Meanwhile, Cebuano long distance running star Mendel Lopez made up from the misfortunes of Cebu’s top bet Noy Jopson by salvaging the third spot in the elite category in his maiden try in the Ironman event.

Benedicto came out as the fastest Pinoy defeating past champions Noy Jopson, Arland Macasieb and Neil Catiil as well as a bunch of new faces in the elite division. He completed the lung-busting race in four hours, 27 minutes and 39 seconds.

Interestingly, Benedicto was only ninth out of all the Filipino male entries in the open water swim. He completed the 1.9-kilometer swim course in 31 minutes and 31 seconds.

Benedicto, however, charged back in his favorite bike discipline with the time of two hours, 22 minutes and 15 seconds, which was enough to give him an advantage going into the run discipline.

“Nung birthday ko, nagdasal ako sa Panginoon na manalo. Pero di ako nag-expect talaga ngayon na mananalo ako,” said Benedicto, who won bronze medal in the duathlon event of the 2007 SEA Games,

Dethroned champion Macasieb encountered flat tire twice, first at only five kilometers into the bike race and then at the South Road Properties. He didn’t make it to the top 10 cast.

Franklin Peñalosa came out second with a 4:35:28 clocking, while Lopez placed third in 4:39:24.

Jopson ended up fourth with the time of 4:43:15 followed by Benjamin Rana in 4:43:17.

Another Cebuano first-timer John Philip Duenas ended his bid at sixth spot with the time of 4:47.11. The seventh to 10th placers were Banjo Norte (4:50:31), Neil Catiil (4:56:01), Jemarvin Cabilan( 4:56:30) and another Cebuano Franz Baguio (4:56:50).

Torres, on the other hand, claimed her fourth straight win in 4:48:40 followed by Lea Coline Langit (5:09:51) and Marvin Kim Mangrobang (5:18:04).

The Greenhills tri-team of Czarina Tiangco, Michelle Baranachea and Michelle Estuar emerged the women's relay champion while Nike's Donato Capili, Heleisha Lavina and Irinio Raquin topped the mixed relay and First Endurance's Evan Uy, Warren Davadilla and Carlo Pedregosa the corporate relay event.

Other age group winners were Billia Biag (18-24), Andy Lordianto (25-29), Paul Ryman (30-34), Assad Attamimi (35-39), Thomas Vonach (40-44) and Nestor Gonzales III (45-49) in the men's side and Keshia Fule (18-24), Jaimielle Jacobs (25-29), Christina Jackson (30-34), Andrea Bess (35-39), Rhodora Ellis (40-44), Fiona Ottiger (45-49) and Reiko Azami (50-54).

Among the celebrities who finished the race were Formula One star Jenson Button, Drew Arellano, Matteo Guidicelli, Erwan Hussaiff and Piolo Pascual. (FREEMAN)