Monday, May 29, 2006
Caluya, De Leon rule Palaui Aquathlon
IT was billed as the Palaui Island Aquathlon Challenge and the event, which attracted close to 50 outdoor adventure enthusiasts, proved to be a real challenge to the participants.
Starting off with a 2K trail run that brought the competitors all the way up to the century-old Cape Engano Lighthouse and down again, it was followed by a IK open water swim, which was the easy part, and topped by the final run leg which was a repeat of the first run and made even longer into a 3K distance run.
And in the end, it was a combination of youth and experience that spelled the difference as the duo of teener Jerome Caluya, 14, and veteran and three-time national triathlon champion Ani de Leon who emerged overall champions in their respective divisions of the event sponsored by the provincial government of Cagayan, the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority , and the municipality of Sta. Ana.
It was a come-from-behind victory for the junior high school student of St. Michael's College in Biñan, Laguna as he overtook early leaders Leian Cruz and American Mark Houle in the IK swim leg en route to a solo victory in 47:46, almost a minute ahead of Pol Reyes.
“Nakakatakot ‘yung uphill climb papuntang lighthouse, nakabawi ako sa swim leg at pag ahon naming, alam ko na kaya kong ipanalo ‘yung karera, “ said Caluya, who posted his first career victory.
In the women's side of the event which is the 2nd leg of the SPEEDO Aquathlon Series 2006, De Leon, still recovering from a knee cap injury, met her objective of finishing in the top 5 as she finished 4th overall to claim the women's crown in 49:49, way ahead of runner-up Maris Balatibat who clocked 58:57 while in third was International School teacher Jayne Polowski in 59:56.
“I really pushed myself in the race and when I got my momentum in the second loop of the first run leg, I knew I'd win it, “ this from the 31-year- old De Leon, who represented the country in the last SEA Games triathlon event in Subic.
Other age group champions in the event also supported by Herbalife, Asian Centre for Insulation Phils., Metro Alliance Group, and jointly organized with the Triathlon Association of the Philippines , were Joseph Reluya, 15 & below, Miguel Ferido, 20-24, Joseph de Vera, 30 -34, Ed Ticzon, 35 -39, Loi Rafols, 40 - 44, Ironman veteran Mark Houle, 45 to 49, and Chito Noel, 50 & above.
Patricia Baybayan was tops in the 15 & below, women's division, Mimi Opulencia took the 20 to 24 group, Pinky Pahud emerged champion in the 25 to 29.
Source: People's Tonight