Cebuano triathletes shine in Challenge Philippines

CEBU, Philippines - Joseph Miller and John Philip Duenas avoided a medal shut-out for Cebuano triathletes after finishing second and third place in the Filipino elite category of the inaugural staging of the Challenge Philippines, another international brand of long distance triathlon, yesterday at Subic Bay.

Miller and Duenas completed the top three finishers of the Filipino elite category won by Franklin Penalosa of Taguig City.

Penalosa finished the race in five hours, 18 minutes and 53 seconds, while Miller has time of 5:28:43 as Duenas took away the bronze medal with 5:38:18 clocking.

"Sakto gyung gitawag siya’g Challenge Philippines,  kay pirti pud ka challenging ang rota.Ga-lisod gyud ko sa bike kay after sa swim, climb dayon nya naay downhill terrain.Wa man gani ko mag-expected na nga maka-place pa ko," said Duenas who outpaced former national team member Arland Macasieb.

Macasieb (5:40:06) settled at fourth place, followed by Martin Lorenzo (5:55:25) and another Cebuano Noy Jopson (6:14:21).

Meanwhile in the men’s pro, Australian Matt Burton reigned supreme, while Melissa Hauschildt, also from Australia won the women’s class. Pinoy August Benedicto and Monica Torres ruled the Southeast Asian elite division. (FREEMAN)