Macalalad sparkles in Animo sprint triathlon

MANILA, Philippines - Fresh from his stint in the Philippine National Games (PNG), 15-year old Edward Vince Jared Macalalad dominated his older rivals to rule the male adult super mini sprint distance that highlighted yesterday’s Day 1 of the Century Tuna Animo Sprint Triathlon 2012 held at the Narra Park inside the plush Ayala Alabang Village in Muntinlupa.

The SMS is the longest of the three distances raced yesterday in this event presented by Century Tuna and organized by the De La Salle Brothers with La Salle Greenhills Batch 81 spearheading that activity, which aims to generate scholarship fund for the St. Jaime Hilario Integrated School-La Salle in Bataan.

The FEU freshman, who will be taking up medical technology, atoned for his second place in the swim leg by zooming away in the bike race. He was too way ahead of his close pursuers that the final run leg turned into a victory run.

“Malaking bagay po ang nakuha kong karanasan na makalaro sa PNG dahil mas tumaas ang kumpiyansa ko na kaya kong mag-excel sa triathlon,” said Macalalad, PNG silver medalist, who negotiated the 600m swim, 15.2k bike and 3.4k run in 52 minutes, 26 seconds.

A far second was 34-year old Ryan Aquino at 58:03 while Angelo Diaz, 21, came in third at 58:45.

A total of 245 triathletes saw action in the race held in cooperation with the Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP), Ayala Alabang Village Association (AAVA) and Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).

Leading the winners in the SuperTriKids was 11-year-old Nicole Danielle Eijansantos whose time at 16:55 was faster than the boys’ 11-12 champion Nathan Nalo at 19:28.

Javier Ocampo (26:58) and Christianne Noelle De Vera (33:49) topped the adult Mini Sprint.

Aquathlon was also held as a side event in the race also supported by ARENA, Gatorade, David’s Salon, South Mall, Goldilucks with Mickhaella Tablada (female 13-15), Martin Ralph Laureano and Hanna Miel Sanchez (adult male and female) winning their respective categories.

The competition that also drew the support of Philippine Star, One Sport, Multisport and SBR as media partners ends today with 240 triathletes seeing action in the sprint distance.