Javier, Torres rule Powerade leg

MANILA, Philippines - National team mainstay Robeno Javier and former national standout Monica Torres dominated the second leg of the Powerade Duathlon held over the weekend that drew a record of 410 entries at the Evia Portofino estate along Daang Hari, Las Piñas City.

Javier easily turned back the challenge of national teammate August Benedicto to annex his second straight men’s Open division crown while Torres exploited the late arrival of Monica Abad to pull away in capturing the women’s Open championship.

Javier clocked a winning time of one hour, 20 minutes, three seconds over the flat course held just outside the sprawling residential and commercial property.

He won the top purse of P3,000, Benedicto P2,000 and national junior duathlete Robinson Estevas P1,000 for placing third (1:24.33) in the event also backed by Evia Portofino, Viva Mineral Water, Zoot, Giant cycling and Rudy Project.

Torres, 27, ruled the distaff side in 1:27.1, just a week after her double victories in the Pharmaton-Immuvit 70-km. road and 30-km. criterium races held at the Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga.

Abad apparently had lost her way in reaching the race site and was well behind majority of the runners while Torres was out front when the massed start got under way.

The 26-year-old Airwoman Second Class logged 1:38.09 in placing runner-up.

Torres also got P3,000, Abad P2,000 and veteran Rizielle Regis-Tangan P1,000 for finishing third (1:54.45) in the contest also supported by SRAM and organized by the Adrenaline Multisports Group.

Coca-Cola group brand manager Teejae Sonza was delighted by the huge turnout of duathletes, including actress Jennylyn Mercado, who made her debut in the sport.

“We’re happy that many more are interested in duathlon and shows that more and more people are interested in having an active and healthy lifestyle,” Sonza said.

Race director Thumbie Remigio, on the other hand, said the third and final stop of the Powerade Duathlon series will be held on Nov. 16 at Nuvali in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.