Ycong, Casidsid top Monyeen triathlon

CEBU, Philippines - Jory Ycong, a competitive runner-turned-triathlete, stole the limelight away from the fancied Joseph Miller as Loveleinell Casidsid reigned supreme in the women's division of the standard distance during the 4th Mayor Moonyeen Durano-Streegan Cup triathlon competition yesterday at Alegre Beach Resort and Spa in Sogod north of Cebu.

Meanwhile, training buddies Ralph Edward So and Aaliyah Mataragnon were just like two kids playing around as they dominated the mini-sprint race for younger set of triathletes.

Ycong, a native of San Jose, Negros Oriental, is a champion runner but found himself wanting for more challenge that he decided to join triathlon races lately.

The 24-year-old Ycong readily made an impression in this three-in-one sport and he did it in style, edging out the heavy favorite Miller for the overall title.

Ycong came out strong in the swim part, but Miller out-pedalled him in the bike portion of the competition. But being a good runner that he is, Ycong was able to overtake Miller in the final 100-meter of the run part to cross the finish line with the best time of one hour, 46 minutes and 55 seconds.

Miller came in second with the time of 1:47:31  while the little-known Jan Jayme Sinda came out third with a 1:56:44 clocking.

Ycong’s victory was a good morale-booster for him as he bids for supremacy in the 18-24 age-group come the hotly-anticipated Cobra Ironman 70.3 Philippines on August 3 at Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa in Lapu-Lapu City.

In the distaff side, Casidsid showed that she's back in the groove, claiming the top honors with a time of two hours, 33 minutes and 45 seconds. Maria Victoria Tan and Jun-Marq Ocana occupied the next two spots.

Romulo Rusell topped the 40-49 division, Roelf Haverkamp ruled the 50-above class  while Team Tan won the relay competition.

In the mini-sprint, So led the winners' circle. He raced without much pressure as the Chiongbian siblings Justin and Yuan did not see action. He made sure though that he won't be outdone by Mataragnon, his training buddy, and went on to submit the best time of 40 minutes and 56 seconds. Mataragnon clocked in 44:31.

Matagranon was unopposed in the girls division, but showed her strength by edging out male entries older than her.

Both So and Mataragnon are both utilizing the race as their final tune-up for the Alaska Ironkids that will be held on the eve of Ironman.

In the 16-above category, the top three finishers were Felix Cagulda, Glenn Rivera and Sancho Yray.— (FREEMAN)