Fantilaga, Jopson top Vaseline Xterra run

MANILA, Philippines - Carlito Fantilaga and Joyette Jopson conquered the Timberland Heights of San Mateo, Rizal to top the 22K event in the first leg of the Vaseline Men Xterra Pang Rave Run off-road triathlon series which drew more than 500 participants.

Fantilaga finished the race in one hour, 40 minutes, 5 6 seconds, followed by William Robinson in 2:10:25 and Felix Abuel in 2:12:15. Jopson won over Olive Cortez (2:33:01) and Pen Nepomuceno (2:37:48).

Canadian Matt O’ Halloran ruled the 10K event in 43:32, with San Mateo National HS athletics varsity member Angelo Pinca second (49:53) and Jun Coral third (51:46). Top three finishers in the women’s division were Katrina Dolfo (1:15:06), journalist Lara Parpan (1:18:09) and Dharmalyn Dahum (1:20:21). The 5K winners were Noel Ricamunda, Romart Belo and Orlando Isip Jr. in the men’s division and Corazon Salcedo (36:10), Erika Joy Natividad (40:21) and Anna Jemimah Puyo (40:52) in the women’s side.

The next leg will be held in Liloan, Cebu March 17 on a trail featuring 21K, 10K and 5K categories. Top age group finishers for the 21K trail run will qualify for the world championships for the Xterra Trail Run slated in Hawaii this year.

Two triathlon events – Xterra Lite and the Xterra Philippine Championship – will also be held in Cebu March 18.

The Vaseline Men Xterra Off-Road Triathlon Series is sponsored by Alaska, Timex, Gatorade, Summit Water, David’s Salon, LBC, AirPhil Express, Prudential Guarantee, 2XU, Dusit Thani Manila, The Philippine STAR, Multisport, SBR, Studio 23, Timberland Heights in San Mateo, Rizal, Amara, Porter Marina and Papa Kit’s in Liloan Cebu.