Foreign bets top trail run: Centerpiece XTerra triathlon events take place this morning

CEBU, Philippines - Andrea Bess, a Brazilian who is now based in the United States, and Abraham Missos, a Kenyan runner who consistently dominates long-distance races here, topped the premiere 21-kilometer action of the 2012 XTerra Trail Run yesterday at the scenic Amara subdivision in the municipality of Liloan north of Cebu.

Bess was actually negotiating the tough terrains of Liloan side-by-side with Merlita Arias-Dunkin, but the top Cebuana trail runner was slowed down by fatigue as the race progressed.

As Bess padded her lead, another foreign entry in Aileen Mary Breen bravely hurdled the obstacle that blocked her way to eventually overtake Arias-Dunkin in the final five kilometers.

Bess won the women's 21K crown with the time of one hour, 52 minutes and 24 seconds, while Breen, despite having to run with a cast on her right arm due to injury she sustained in a bike crash, wound up second with the time of 1:52.55. Arias-Dunkin placed third in 1:57.35.

“I had a great race today (yesterday). This is it for me here in Cebu. I’m not joining the triathlon anymore, but I’ll be back in August for the Ironman Philippines," said Bess.

Missos, on the other hand, lorded it over in the men's division after registering the best time of one hour, 14 minutes and 49 seconds. He edged out fellow Kenyan Douglas Mbui, who clocked in 1:15.50, while Bonifacio Monjas ended up third in 1:16:37.

In the 10K battle, Cebuana elite runner Madelyn Carter made her debut in trail running a memorable one by clinching the top honors with the time of 57 minutes and 56 seconds. Charlotte Thepauh placed second after one hour of running, while Amale Mendezona-Jopson grabbed the third place trophy in 1:08.49.

Another Kenyan entry, Josphat Kiptanui, ruled the men’s 10K with the time of 49:24. Cebu’s Mendel Lopez landed at second in 49.35 followed by Rodolfo Mediquillo (55.14).

Lopez and Amale Jopson are just warming up though for the much tougher relay event of today's keenly-awaited off-road triathlon.

Cebu's fast-rising triathlon princess Rochelle Tan also had a good time as she won the women’s 5K title in 18:37.10. The next two spots were occupied by Hannah Galo (19:48.15) and Virgita Soco (21:38:20).

In the men's side, John Cliff came out the fastest in 14:39 followed by Dandy Judy (15:52:13) and Joseph Miller (16:10.30).

Today, action shifts to the centerpiece XTerra Lite and the more rigorous XTerra Philippines Off-Road Triathlon Championships that has drawn participation from some of the world's top triathletes.

The XTERRA Lite covers a 500-meter swim, 30K bike and 5K run, while the main event involves a more grueling challenge of 1.5 kilometer of swimming highlighted by the spectacular view of the century-old Liloan lighthouse, a 35K bicycle course traversing a road with a backdrop of the Camotes Sea in the east and a 10K trail run that finishes at the San Fernando Rey Parish Church.

Among the high-profile entries include Renata Bucher and Oliver Marceau also of Switzerland, Carina Wasle of Austria, Ben Allen of Australia, Matt O’ Halloran of Canada, Will Kelsay and Branden Rakita of United States, Cedric Lassondre of France, Takahiro “Oga-san” Ogasawara of Japan, Darrelle “Daz” Parker, Graham Wadsworth and Jacqui Slack of the United Kingdom.

Three-time Phl Open champion, two-time SEA Games medalist and 15-time Ironman finisher Arland Macasieb is expected to represent the country in the elite competition organized by Sunrise Events Inc. and sponsored by Alaska Milk, 2XU, LBC, The Philippine STAR, Timex, Gatorade, Prudential Guarantee, Air Phil Express, MultiSport, Studio 23 and David's Salon.

Apart from winning cash prizes amounting to a total of US$15,000, the top age-group finishers will vie for the 40 slots to the XTERRA World Championships on October 28 in Maui, Hawaii.  (FREEMAN)