Belgian, Torres top Ilocos Tri 113

MANILA, Philippines - Belgian pro Anthony Devos and local ace Monica Torres fashioned out easy victories in the inaugural Ilocos Heritage Tri 113 in Ilocos Sur last Sunday.

The fancied Devos surged past Mathieu O’Halloran, a Canadian expatriate who won the Condon City and Narvacan (Ilocos) triathlons this year in the same province, some 200 meters going into the 90-km bike leg after 1.9km swim in Santiago Cove and quickly turned the event into his own battle with the clock.

Likewise touted as the top bet in the women’s side, Torres, champion of the Narvacan Triathlon held barely a day before, grabbed the initiative at the 40-km mark of the cycling phase and never looked back.

Devos hit the wire at the Heritage Village after biking through Condon City and six coastal towns and running a half marathon (21.1km) around Vigan City in four hours 16 minutes 31 seconds, bettering his 4:19:59 clocking he posted last August in Cebu.

Torres, the country’s undisputed long distance triathlon queen, timed 5:07:00, a far cry from her personal best, in the event with Rep. Eric Singson, Gov. Ryan Singson, City Governments of Vigan and Candon under Mayor Eva Marie Singson-Medina and Mayor Ericson Singson, respectively, as major sponsors.