After sowing seeds of hard work Gealon Racing Team slowly  reaping the fruits of success

CEBU, Philippines — Exactly fourteen months since they were assembled, the purpose-driven athletes under the banner of Gealon Racing Team are slowly reaping the fruits of their hard work and dedication.

Cebu City Councilor Rey Gealon established GRT on February 23, 2023 fueled by his ardent desire to promote a healthy and happy lifestyle and at the same time encourage the youth to engage in sports so as not to be tempted into drugs and other bad vices.

With his amiable wife Fiscal Jill Ann Gealon on board, the other members of the team are Fiscal Hazel Caraballe, Ronald Sarmago

Alex Cabando, Limito Caraballe Jr., Mikko Laguda, and Chester Rago. Gealon and Caraballe both serve as prosecutors for the National Prosecution Service of the Department of Justice based at the Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office.

Making their presence felt in Cebu’s highly competitive multi-sport stage, the spirited Gealon racers shined brightly in three  consecutive big events they joined lately.

First off, GRT made waves at the TWM Triathlon in San Francisco, Camotes last April 6.

Hazel Caraballe emerged as champion in the women’s 35-45 age group with a time of three hours and seven minutes. Sarmago and Limito Caraballe also had a remarkable showing  to grab medals in their categories.

One week later, GRT romped off with two podium finishes during Leg 1 of the HOKA Trilogy Run Asia-Cebu.

Caraballe clocked in one hour and 25 minutes to come out as the fastest in the women’s 16km class, while Cabando took the third place honors in the seniors division in one hour and 48 minutes.

Likewise, Jill Gealon, Caraballe, and Laguda finished strong to beat their respective personal records.

Just last Sunday, GRT hurdled its toughest challenge yet - the Ironman 70.3 Lapu-Lapu Cebu at Mactan Newtown.

The team saw action in relay event, with Ronald Sarmago doing the 1.9km swim, Hazel Caraballe taking charge of the 90km bike, and Gealon the 21K run. They registered an aggregate time of seven hours and 37 minutes.

The strong undercurrent in the swim leg made it difficult for swimmers to beat the regulation time, while the headwinds, coupled by the crosswinds at the peak of CCLEX bridge, had most cyclists struggling.

The run leg was a tale of survival and determination as runners went through the route under the scorching heat of the noontime sun.

Team manager Rey Gealon was elated of the team’s satisfactory performance with no harm or injury on the athletes armed with lots of prayers.

“GRT is hoping to inspire more people who will be interested in multi-sport discipline especially the youth who will eventually raise the flag with pride competing abroad,” said Gealon on their ultimate goal. — (FREEMAN)