Alon-alon wins anew in triathlon

Former national champion and now playing coach Abet Alon-alon proved that age cannot slow him down as he successfully retained his title in the fifth Philippine Half-Ironman Triathlon, in Lian, Batangas last Saturday.

The 35-year-old native of San Pedro, Laguna finished the 2 km swim- 90 km bike-21 km run event, organized by the Manila Triathlon Club (MTC), with a winning time of 5:09:40. He was followed by the comebacking Nonoy Jopson at second place with 5:13:17, and at third is Michael Mariano with 5:20:35.

On the distaff side, Fiona Lim of Malaysia is the new Half-Ironman queen as she finished first with a time of 5:56:29. Australia’s Cathy Grebert took the runner-up honors with a finish of 6:21:54. At third was Maria Victoria Amara, who’s preparing herself for the Ironman Triathlon in New Zealand, with a time of 6:34:29.

In the event sponsored by Lian Mayor Sixto Baby Vergara, Viva Mineral Water, David’s Salon, Alaska Milk, SPEEDO, Gatorade, New Balance, San Miguel Light, USA Sports, Pinoy Central, Lapanday Food, Fitness Shop, Coral Beach Club, Matabungkay Beach Resort, and Lago De Oro, Alon-Alon has earned the right to represent the country in the 17th Strongman Japan Triathlon which will take place in Miyakojima, Japan on April 2001.

Other category winners in the event sanctioned by the Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP) include the Ultra Boys (composed of RP Team members Leian Cruz, Mark Candelaria and George Vilog) on the Team Relay, Joel Custodio on the age 20-29 group, Jojo Macalintal on 30-29, Jaime Almanzora on 40-49 and Rudy Dizon on 50-above.