'Great, amazing, fantastic race' Gardner, Vanlandingham dominate first ever XTERRA Philippines Off-Road Triathlon

LILOAN, CEBU, Philippines – Sam Gardner of England and Shonny Vanlandingham of Australia gamely braved the rough sea waters and later on the sweltering heat of the sun while traversing the hilly, tough course of the upscale Amara Subdivision on the way to etch their names in stone as the first ever grand winners of the highly-successful XTERRA Philippine Championship Off-Road Triathlon here yesterday.

Though he just finished fifth in the 1.5-kilometer swim, Gardner banked on his vast experience navigating the extremely difficult course on a mountainbike to turn the tide of the race in his favor. He checked in first in the 30-kilometer bike segment in one hour and 17 minutes.

After completing the final 10-kilometer run, Gardner clocked in the overall best time of two hours, 25 minutes and 59 seconds to rule the historic event that attracted some of the world's top pro triathletes in convincing fashion.

"It was fantastic. This is the most enjoyable race I had in my life," said an obviously ecstatic Gardner who, with no competitor in sight, had the luxury of joking around and exchange high fives with the very appreciative audience on his way to the finish line.

"My calves were hurting even before the race could star but I carried on because of the crowd. The people are cheering for me and that kept me going," added Gardner. "Everything was perfect despite that this is just the first time Cebu hosted such kind of event. Definitely I'll be back next year to defend my title."

Curiously, Gardner was the last participant to check in prior to the competition. 

Vanlandingham, on the other hand, lived up to expectations as among the early title favorites as she lorded it over in the women's side in two hours, 31 minutes and 39 seconds followed by Renata Bucher of Switzerland in 2:33:35.

"It's great. This is my first race in the Philippines and I brought in the victory. I'm super happy. The community seems to be embracing this kind of event and I'm looking forward to coming back," said Vanlandingham.

Bucher, the first woman international pro triathlete, was equally satisfied happy her performance although she admitted that there was a time during the course of the race that he felt dazed and glassy-eyed.

"There was a time that I was looking things twice, like as if I'm shaking four hands when there was only two.      It was then I told myself to slow down," said Bucher. "But we're really happy. Since this is our first time, we don't know where we are. It's really good to get a place and gain confidence."

Completing the top five list were Filipino elite triathlete Neil Catiil and 2009 & 2010 South Africa Champion Carina Wasle of Austria, who touched down the finish in 2:42:03.

"I'm so happy that I got here. The people are amazing. This is one of the best and friendliest race I've ever done," said Wasle.

XTERRA World managing director Dave Nicholas said history is in place with Vanlandingham, Bucher and Wasle making it to the top five list. "This is the first time in history that three women made it to the podium. This has never happened before (in XTERRA-organized events)," he said.

TOP FILIPINO FINISHER

Neil Catiil, the top Filipino performer during last year's Ironman 70.3in Camarines Sur, duplicated that feat by placing fourth overall in the XTERRA Triathlon and in process became the best elite Filipino finisher in the breath-taking spectacle presented by Alaska Milk Corporation president Wilfred Steven Uytengsu through Sunrise Events, Inc. (SEI).

Catiil registered the time of two hours, 39 minutes and 24 seconds followed by 2009 & 2010 South Africa champion Carina Wasle in 2:42:03.

"As a 'Bisaya' (Visayan), I'm very proud to make it to the top five and come out as the best Filipino finisher in this prestigious race," said the Cagayan de Oro-native Catiil.

George Vilog was the second best among Filipino entries followed by Noel Salvador of Davao and Cebu's pride Noy Jopson.

Meanwhile, aside from event presenter Wilfred Steven Uytengsu of Alaska Milk Corp., among the luminaries who graced the memorable sporting spectacle in the Queen City of the South were Senator Pia Cayetano, Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia, Liloan Mayor Vincent Franc "Duke" Frasco and COMELEC commissioner Gregorio "Goyo" Larrazabal.

"It was very exciting because it was the first time I joined such kind of race. It's quite tough but manageable," said Cayetano moments after topping her age-group bracket that earned her a podium trip during the awarding ceremony.

"The course was harder than I thought. For us ordinary triathletes, we we're really challenged," said Uytengsu.

A total of USD50,000 cash prize were given away to the top placers in the pro division and P120,000 to the winners in elite Filipino class.

Age-group winners did not receive any prize money but were given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to race with the pros during the XTERRA World Championships in Makena, Maui on October 23. A total of 35 slots are available, 20 for male and 15 for female participants.

Sponsors are Alaska Milk Corporation, Clear Shampoo, Timex, Prudential Guarantee, Multisport, Solar TV, Oakley, Gatorade and Crimson Hotel. (FREEMAN)