Abad, Huelgas rule triathlon inaugural at Philsports

The duo of Mirasol Abad and Nikko Huelgas announced their bid for the national triathlon training pool in last Sunday’s inaugural staging of the 2009 Speedo Aquathlon series with wins inside the Philsports complex.

Abad, 23, a native of Davao and former member of the national dragon boat team, shadowed erstwhile pacer Chari May Onyangco of Fitness First and made her move in the last 30 meters of the 3K run that followed the 950M swim leg to win in 34:19.28..

They topped the 20-29 and 30-39 divisions, respectively. Johanna Pe Benito, 16, took the 16-19 age group title while Rosalina Pascual edged out Tessa Prieto-Valdes in the 40-and-above category.

“I want to try out again for the national team,” said Abad, who is with the AFP’s Special Services.

Huelgas, 17, an education student at Dela Salle-Taft finished all alone in 26:34 in the 16-19 age group. Michael Advincula won the 20-24 age group in 29:58 while Diego Carballo emerged champion in the 25-29 group in 28:29.

Other male age group winners in the race also supported by Globe and David’s Salon, were Javier Olives (30-34, 31:22), Ricardo Papa Tobias (35-39, 28:15), swimming coach Guy Concepcion (40-44, 27:38), Tony Welsh (45-49, 29:40) and Alden Meneses (over 50, 37:01).

The Supertrikids champions were Rafael Catan and Allyna Santiago (7-8), Michael Catan and Ingrid Dizon (9-10), Jux Keaton Solita and Moniq Reyes (11-12) and Allen Santiago and Riel Beatriz Bucao (13-15).

Close to 90 athletes joined the race while officially opened the 2009 Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP) racing season.