Sunday, March 16, 2008
Benedicto Torres wins anew
THERE was no surprise that happened in the second leg of the 2008 Clark Duathlon Sprint Series yesterday as August Benedicto and Monica Torres reign anew in the race held at the Clark Special Economic Zone in Clarkfield, Pampanga.
Fil-Am Arland Macasieb and George Vilog joined Javier Robeno, Jeff Valdez and new comer Neil Catiil in their hope to unseat the first leg champion, but Benedicto came prepared for another dominating show with a wire to wire win in the 7.5 K run, 30K bike and 5K run event.
“Kondisyon talaga ako dahil wala kaming ginawa kungdi magtraining. Sa first run ay maganda ang time ko at lalo akong umatake sa bike dahil alam kong hindi sila makakasabay sa akin,” said the 24-year old Benedicto who recorded a time of one hour 30 minutes and 42 seconds on splits of 24:53, 48:50 and 16:59.
“My goal was to really try to run at sub-17 minutes in the last run event and I'm happy I did it today. With my performance, I feel I'm ready for the Asian Duathlon Championship in Thailand ,” added Benedicto who hails from Paniqui, Tarlac.
Running in his second local race this year, Macasieb withstood cramps in his left leg he suffered right in the first run event as outsprinted Robeno for second spot.
He clocked in at 1:33:36 as against the 1:34:09 mark by Robeno, who settled for second place to Benedicto in the first leg held last month.
"I'm even surprised with my performance because I was thinking of quitting the race in the first run event due to cramps,” said Macasieb who along with Robene will also join Benedicto in the Asian Championship in Mekong River, Thailand on March 29.
Valdez took fourth spot with 1:34:48 while Catiil completes the first five placers n the tournament jointly organized by Traiathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP) and Clark Multi Sports Group with 1:38:14 clockings.
Torres also led from start to finish proving that she is also well prepared to anchor the female duathletes campaign in Thailand .
The 24-year old Torres, who along with Benedicto topped the under 23 class in the Asian Championship last year, erected more than two minutes advantage against rivals Popo Nagtalon Remigio and Amanda Carpo right in the first run leg to win the race handily at 1: 48:18.
Carpo displayed her riding skills as she eventually pulled away from Remigio who finished the race at third spot. The 33 year old Carpo clocked in at 1:51:45 as against the 1:53:23 time of Remigio.
“I hope to further improve on my performance since I'm aiming at least a top five finish in the Asian Championship,” said Torres.
A total of 131 duathletes, nine of which competed in the Super Kids joined the race also supported by Clark Development Corporation Tourism headed by Noemi Garcia and Adidas.
Winners in the different age groups for the male are John Alexander Razote (under-19), Carlo Jose Pedregosa ((20-24), Ferdinand Catabian (25-29), Abe Tayag (30-34), Rayson Galdonez (35-39), Danilo Balandra (40-44), Rune Stroem (45-49), Daboy parrero (50-54) and Sergio Ravina (55 and over) while female winners are Junie Santos (25-29), Elizabeth Grandinetti (30-34), Annie Agoncillo (35-39), Sheri Baghaie (40-44) and Rizabel Cloma-Santos (50 and over)
Bambam Manglicmot and Michaella Pua (Under 8), Kai Stroem (boys 10-under), Kaina Baghaie (under 11 girls), Eirik STroem (under 12 boys), Audrin Baghaie and Johannah Pe Benito (Under 15) took top honors in the Superkids division.