First-timers rule Safeguard 5i50 race

SUBIC BAY , Philippines   â€“ Mitchell Robins of Australia and Ezster Dudas of Hungary yesterday made sure their first race in the  Philippines was both fun and fruitful.

Robins, a 24-year-old P.E. teacher from Sydney, made it look easy winning the men’s side of the Safeguard Active 5i50 Triathlon in two hours, five minutes and 22 seconds.

He slowed down a few meters to the finish and walked up the ramp and on the red carpet. He got hold of the tape and raised it high as a sign of victory.

The crowd that gathered at the sun-blessed and scenic Kamana Resort inside this vast,  former American naval base cheered him on.

Robins said he’d heard a lot of good things about the Philippines from friends and wanted to see it for himself. He came to race in the country hopeful and confident.

“I knew that if I was going to do the race I’m capable of I was going to be close to the front. You never know but I’m always confident,” he said.

Robins said he didn’t have a good swim (1.5 km) but caught up with the leaders in the bike stage (40 km) and took the lead in the latter part of the run (10 km) portion.

Robins, who’s into surfing when not running triathlons, said he liked the course.

“It was warm and hilly but very pretty. The water was warm and was nice. It was beautiful,” said the 6-foot-2 winner of the inaugural Safeguard triathlon event that drew over 300 entries.

Next to cross the finish were Csaba Kuttor (2:06:17) and Peter Bajai (2:08:18) of Hungary, Frederik Croneborg (2:09:26) of Sweden and Michael Murphy (2:11:19) of Australia.

John Leerams Chicano was the top Filipino finisher at 2:14:35 for sixth place followed by Banjo Norte at 2:21:23 for ninth overall.

Dudas, a 21-year-old head-turner from Budapest, ruled the women’s side. She led from start to finish and crossed the line at 2:21:32.

Not even veteran Belinda Granger of Australia, who has made winning a habit in the Philippines, could stop Dudas from winning her first race in the Philippines.

Granger, in her forties, said she felt a little bit tired doing her 16th race of the year but didn’t really use it as an excuse. She took her hat off to Dudas.

“Regardless. Even if I had a great day I expected her (Dudas) to be fast. You can see it in the results. I knew I’d be chasing (her) all day,” said Granger.

“I never caught her. I never saw her all day,” said the runner-up who timed 2:28:12.

The Philippine pride, Monica Torres, was the third best female for the day at 2:38:25.

“I just hung out and it was pretty normal for me,” said the charming Filipina after the race also sponsored by The Philippine STAR, Kamana Sanctuary Resort and Spa, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, the Department of Foreign Affairs, Region 3, Coca-Cola Femsa, MultiSport Magazine, Smart and others.

Dudas said she came to the Philippines not knowing what to expect. All she knew was that Granger was around to make it difficult for her.

It really didn’t turn out that way.

“I was imagining (winning) but I wasn’t sure. I was leading the race but I heard she was very fast on the bike so I was afraid of her,” she said of Granger.

“But when the bike finished I felt better that it was gonna’ be my day. I was always watching my back,” said Dudas after her first 5i50 (51.50 km) race.

Five kilometers into the run, she still couldn’t see or feel Granger behind her, and she thought she had it in the bag.

“Then I said, ‘Okay she’s not here. I’m fine. I can do it. It’s gonna be my day,’” said Dudas, who came to the post-race event looking fresh with her light tank top, black mini-skirt and long, curly hair.

During the interview, she had a bottle of San Miguel beer on her right hand. It was half full.

On a hot day, it was time to chill out.