Echauz leads winners in Tri United Series

MANILA, Philippines - Fifteen-year old Magali Echauz reaaserted her dominance in her age group even as siblings Emilaine, Jayline and Ann Maris Balatibat won three medals at the close yesterday of the three-leg Tri United Series at the Narra Park inside the posh Ayala Alabang Village in Muntinlupa.

Competing in the 13-15 year old in the sprint distance (300m swim, 7.6k bike and 1.7k run), Echauz, a Unilab Tri-Team member who has won almost all the triathlon events she competed in this year, led the race from start to finish for an impressive time of 30 minutes, one second.

“I lost track of how many tournaments I’ve competed in and won but this is one of the best performances I had this year,” said Echauz, who easily defeated Isabella Kapunan (34:36) and Hannah Angelika De Guzman (36:49).

Not to be left behind in the event organized by Bikeking led by Raul Cuevas in cooperation with Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP) and Ayala Alabang Village Association (AAVA) were the Balatibat sisters who are making a comeback in this endurance sport.

They saw action in the sprint distance (900m swim, 30k bike and 7k run, with 22-year old Emilaine and 28-year old Jayline topping the female 18-14 and 25-29 age groups with 2:10:01 and 2:14:07. Eldest sister 32-year-old Ann Maris took the silver medal in the 30-34 age class in 2:13.

“We’ve been competing in triathlon for the past years but we decided to take a break last year to concentrate on other things. We’re all proud and happy with our performance since our sacrifices in our training paid off,” said Jayline, who also  won the gold in Tri United 1 and silver in TriUnited 2.

Sponsoring Unilab Active Health executives Clinton Hess, Alex Panlilio and Lester Castillo witnessed the race that drew 520 triathletes that were flagged off in 18 waves, making this event the biggest one-day race held in 2012.

“This is our first time to hold a Tri-United event in this place and we’re overwhelmed by the big turnout. The challenge now is how to make it bigger and more challenging next year,” said Panlilio.

Leading the men’s charge was August Benedicto who withstood a slow start in the swim with big showing in the bike and run to claim the elite division title with a time of  1:20:17.

George Vilog took second with 1:22:05 while Kavin Eijansantos settled for third in 1:22:23. Other winners in the mini-sprint age groups in the event sponsored by Unilab Active Health, Alaxan FR, Enervon HP, I-ON Energy Drink, Hydrite, Landco, Bikeking, 3rd district of Bohol, Timex, Aboitiz Power, Cyrstal Clear, Orbea and SwimBikeRun.ph were Julius Alfred Constantino (13-15) and Marc Oliver Vargas (16-above) for men and Bea Hufana (16-above) for women.

Mervin Santiago (18-24), Don Velasco (25-29), Andy Leuterio (30-34), Hiroshi Takei (40-44), Abelardo Alon Alon (45-49) and returning Rune Stroem (50-54) topped the men’s sprint.

t age groups while Hazel Benipayo (30-34), Bic Ferreria (35-39), Natasha Davis (40-44) and Celma Hitalia (45-above) completes the women’s winners.

Team Wetshop joined the list of winners as they ruled the team relay race with 1:49:51 time.