Calinawan rules Cebu leg of NAGT series

CEBU, Philippines – Cebuano Gerrie Calinawan showed he is serious in his bid to return to the national team by dominating the second leg of the National Age-Group Triathlon Series the other day at the Alegre Beach Resort in Sogod, Cebu.

Calinawan defeated former top junior swimmer Ralph Francistino Arche in the 25-29 years old class, while Franz Baguio settled for third.

Calinawan finished just third in the swim event behind Hong Kong national Mark Weis, but as soon as he got his bike, he sped up to post a comfortable lead going into the third and final challenge. Calinawan never looked back from there to cross the finish line first.

In the overall standings, Calinawan completed the lung-busting race in one hour, 41 minutes and six seconds, while Arche came out second in 1:45:8. Weis wound up third in one hour and 50 minutes.

Weis though emerged as the best in the 35-29 age bracket followed by Mandaue’s Trino Transmonte and Warren Troy Vergara.

Lhoriz Echavez topped the women’s class in style by outsmarting a bunch of male triathletes.

Echavez landed fifth in the swim event, sixth in bike, and eighth in the run. She posted an overall time of one hour, 59 minutes and three seconds.

Fajardo Pepito was unopposed in the 20-24 class so was Vic Suarez in the 45-49 division.

In the 30-34 class, Anthony Regis reigned supreme over Bohol’s Troy Avergonzado and Bukidnon’s Romwell Roque.

Alan Panal ruled the 40-44 category, while Gerard Malixi placed second.

In the 50-54 class, Jose Ricardo Dizon edged out Danao City councilor Boying Rodriguez for the top spot. – Caecent No-ot Magsumbol (THE FREEMAN)