Fitness First triathletes first again

MANILA, Philippines – Team Combat of Fitness First, led by former national women’s triathlon champion and recent Ironman Hawaii finisher Ani de Leon and teammate Dane Cantwell, emerged runaway champion in the team event at the recent 16th Subic Bay ITU-International Triathlon.

De Leon submitted a finishing time of 2:33.14 in the individual age group of the men’s division while Cantwell clocked 2:16.16 in the women’s division.

With the 2:23.27 of Fitness First country manager Mark Ellis and Eriberto Carandang’s 2:27:32 Fitness First had an accumulated time of 9:40:31. Polo Tri Zoomers was second in 10:07:04.

David Verlee clocked 2:24.00 to lead his group composed of Anthony Welsh, JonJon Rufino, and Amanda Marie Carpo.

At third was last year’s team champion Herbalife with Ferdinand Catabian (2:16.56) at the helm together with Jojo Macalintal, Hiroshi Takei, and Reva Magno.

However, in the relay event, Herbalife retained the crown as its team of Michael Canillo, July Cagungun, and Orly Mariano combined for a winning time of 2:25.12.

The visiting Triathlon Association of Malaysia team, led by Stephanie Chok together with Gary Chong and Rikiguro Shinozuka, was second ( 2:25.54).

At third was the Camayan Ocean Adventure team (2:30.40).

The 13-15 age category was won by Bacolod’s John Rommel Uy followed by two Malaysian boys while Singapore’s Phan Yong Tin Joy copped the girl’s plum.

Spring junior and adult champions were Hong Kong’s Cheung Tsz Hei, Johanna Pe Benito, Jonjon Rufino and Stephanie Chok.

Top overall finishers in the women’s individual age group competition were De Leon, Carpo (2:39.48) and 35-39 age group champion Rizzo Tangan (2:43.05). Runners-up to Cantwell in the men’s side were Catabian and former national team member Noel Salvador (2:20.44.1).

Other age group winners in the event sponsored by SBMA, Speedo, Gatorade, PSC, David’s Salon, Globe Telecoms, Fitness First, Asian Center for Insulation, Vitwater, Sunkist, and Rudy Project, were Jefferson Tabacon (17-19,  2:43.59), Emmanuel Rodil (20-24, 2:38.17), duathlete Augus Benedicto (25-29, 2:23.03), Cantwell (30-34), Salvador (40-44), Welsh (45-49, 2:33.05, Alvin Alindogan (50-54, 2:31.26), Dr. Oscar Escudero Jr., (55-59, 3:03.45) and Brigilio Balaba (60-over, 3:25.17).

The women’s side had De Leon taking the 30-34 crown, Fiona Ottiger, 40-44 in 2:50.03, and Tangan, 35-39.

Sen. Pia Cayetano, a staunch supporter of triathlon, placed second in her age group with a time of 3:02.40.

“This was the biggest field ever in the team event of the Subic Bay International Triathlon and it shows the growth of triathlon as a serious sport in the country, “said TRAP president Tom Carrasco Jr. after the race that had Philippine STAR, DZSR, and Solar Sports together with radio sponsors – Jam 88.3, Wave 89.1, Magic 89.9, 99.5 RT, and 103.5 Max FM.