Big Duathlon finish earns Mirasol slot in World Games

MANILA, Philippines - Mirasol Abad made history for Philippine duathlon as she earned a slot in the 2013 World Games in Colombia with a strong third place finish in yesterday’s Century Tuna ASTC  Asian Duathlon Championships held in an out-and-back course at Remy Field, Subic Bay Freeport.

Twenty-one year old from John Chicano (1:42:55) joined Robinson Estevez (1:43:43) and Nikko Huelgas (1:44:11) swept the men’s Under 23 Elite while Cebuano Justine Chiongbian (37:51) and  another Olongapo bet Jose Nobles (37:54) settled for a one-two finish in the mini-sprint race as they atoned for the poor performance of the men’s elite team.

“It was a fruitful hosting as Abad became the first duathlete from the Philippines to compete in a World event while victories posted by our young duathletes showed that we are  on the right track as far as developing our athletes is concern. We will try to look for a good duathlon coach from abroad to help train Abad in time for the World Games,” said TRAP president Tom Carrasco Jr. whose association worked hand in hand with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority tourism department to make sure the event will be well organized.

Competing against the best from Japan, the 27-year old Abad from Davao City, engaged two-time Olympian Ai Ueda in a neck-to-neck race only to lose steam in the final two kilometers in the second  run.

“She (Ueda) maintained her  strong pace in the last two kilometers that I decided to slow down to ensure that I’ll be able to finish the race. I was really expecting to do well after a second place finish in the Malakoff Powerman, Malaysia last week and I’m very much satisfied with a third place finish,” said Abad in Filipino.

Abad negotiated the 10K run, 40K bike and 5K run event presented by Century Tuna and supported by  Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), Fitness First, Asian Centre for Insulatoin Philippines (ACIP), Standard Insurance and Gatorade in two hours, one minute, 57 seconds.

A multi-awarded triathlete but seeing action in only her second duathlon race in her career, the 29-year old Ueda led from start to finish for a 2:00:54 while teammate Eri Miyazawa outsprinted Abad in the last 150 meters to claim the silver medal with 2:01:47.

“We are five Japanese in the lead pack after the first run but the Filipina duathlete suddenly caught up with us in the bike. We were one and two in the final run until I managed to increase the pace. I’m very happy with the win since I am a triathlete racing only in duathlon for the second time,” said Ueda, a Beijing and London Olympics veteran who also bagged the Asian women’s title.