Benedicto, Torres top RP duathlon

MANILA, Philippines - National standouts August Benedicto and Monica Torres took different routes in ruling the men’s and women’s divisions of the Powerade-RP Duathlon Open’s second leg at the Filinvest Corporate City in Alabang, Muntinlupa last Sunday.

After shrugging off minor ankle aches, Benedicto banked on the misfortunes of the early frontrunners and a strong bike stage to rally and win the event in a time of one hour, 21 minutes and 16 seconds under cloudy skies inside the sprawling business property.

“My ankles hurt at the start but I was able to recover in the bike stage,” said the 26-year-old pride of Paniqui, Tarlac after copping the top prize of P5,000.

Jeff Valdez (1:23.23) was second and earned P3,000 while former Asian and Southeast Asian Games duathlon champ Ryan Mendoza (1:23.49), settled for third place and P2,000 in the event sponsored by Powerade, Columbia Sportswear, Filinvest Corp., Phiten, Speedo, Rudy Project and Philippine Tourism Authority, among others.

Meanwhile, Torres led from start to finish in capturing the distaff side in 1:38.02 and also got P5,000, national teammate Mirasol Abad was second (1:40.04) and earned P3,000, and Muntinlupa City resident Rizielle Tangan third (1:45.07) and received P2,000.

“I managed to set pace despie the slippery condition of the course because of overnight rains,” said Torres, 26, who has remained unbeaten in the duathlon since 2008, and a bronze medalist like Benedicto in the Mekong River Duathlon in Nongkhai, Thailand last March.

Powerade brand manager TJ Sonza was delighted by the close to 300 participants who saw action in the second leg, noting “there were several new faces who did not compete in our first leg.”

“This outcome shows that more health and fitness enthusiasts are being drawn to the sport,” said Sonza, adding that the third and final leg of the Powerade-RP Duathlon Open is scheduled in October at a venue to be announced later.

Sonza, Don Ubaldo, Filinvest Corporate City Commercial Lots Group head, and Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP) president Tom Carrasco were on hand to award the medals and prizes to the winners.

Other winners were Kevin Raphael in the 16 to 19-year-old boys’ division (1:40.36), Carlos Pedregosa in the 20-24 men’s category (1:24.25), Christopher Rodriguez (25-29, 1:31.20), Gerald Aserdo (30-34, 1:33.41), Andrew Chinalpan (35-39 1:35.20), Virgilio Erpeco (40-49, 1:36.54), Emmanuel Rubio (45-49, 1:41.48), and Alvin Alindogan (50-over, 1:43.33).

Leonor Alexandria (2:04.19) bagged the 20-29 women’s age group title, Lara Reyes (1:58.41) the 30-39 championship and Lelma Hitalia (2:09.19) the 40-over crown.