Betten leads Aussie sweep in Safeguard 5i50 triathlon

PANGLAO, BOHOL, Philippines – Australia’s Sam Betten and Dimity Lee Duke endured the scorching heat of the sun on the way to dominate their respective divisions in 2015 Safeguard 5i50 Triathlon yesterday at the Bellevue Resort here.

Betten, who was the first to come out of the 1.5 kilometer open water swim, finished the race with an aggregate time of two hours, one minute and three seconds to successfully defend his title.

"It was such a hot and hard race. The last three kilometers though was the hardest, with the weather getting hotter and hotter. But I just kept on going and kept my focus on winning," said Betten.

Betten's compatriot Michael Murphy wound up second with the time of 2:03:48 followed by Justin Granger with a 2:12:38 clocking.

In the women's action, Duke bagged the crown with a time of 2:13:30, preventing Belinda Granger from having a grand exit as a pro.

"She (Granger) knows that at the end of the day, we are here to race. She's still having a great time and so am I though it’s been very hot here, “said Duke.

The well-loved Belinda Granger, who announced her retirement on the eve of the race, placed second  in 2:19:47, while Filipina pro Monica Torres landed at third in 2:26:26. Bohol's pride Paul Jumamil caught part of the spotlight after winning the Filipino men's elite in his third attempt. He claimed the top spot in 2:07:26 as Jonard Saim trailed with 2:12:08. Cebu's Kristianne Lim took the third place honors in 2:17:54.

Jenny Guerrero snared the women’s title over Cebuana Elona Louise Villacin. Guerrero finished the race in 2:42:01, while Villacin clocked in 2:54:34.

Alaska and Sunrise Event's president Fred Uytengsu stole part of the show by placing fifth in a field of 30 in the 50-54 age group topped by William Veto.

The rest of the age-group winners were Karl Lee (15-19), Erick Von Ryan Santillana and Patricia Lee (20-24), Michael Acas and Sittie Aminah Dimaporo (25-29), James Dimco and Aimee Dequina (30-34), Elmo Clarrabal and Joanne Plumbley (35-39), Christopher Eyao and Nicole Gallagher (40-44), Romeo Marquez and Geraldine Abuan (45-49), Dyan Castillejo (50-54), Alvin Alindogan and Agnes Tinsay (55-59), Artemio Engracia (60-64) and Graham Crocker (65-69).

Aside from Ycong, Villacin and larrabal, several other Cebuanos made it to the podium. Jeff Codino and June Marq Ocana had a 2-3 finish in the 35-39, Giorgia Guidecelli was second in the 18-24, Welmar Saavedra placed third in the 25-29, Maria Victoria Tan placed second in the 40-44, and Noy Jopson landed second in the 40-44. (FREEMAN)