Alon-alon, Jopson test mettle in RP triathlon
November 28, 2002 | 12:00am
It will be a rematch of sorts for Abet Alon-alon and Nonoy Jopson when they go head-to-head in the first ever Philippine Ironman Triathlon set this Saturday in Batangas.
The two former national champions engaged in a classic duel in last year’s Half Ironman contest where Alon-alon, 37, a native of Laguna and presently an assistant coach of the national triathlon team, edged out the younger Jopson, 27, a three-time national champion and still the national record holder in this gruelling event.
Alon-alon will have experience on his side while giving away years to his younger opponent Jopson who reportedly has been in serious training also in his bid to become the first Philippine Ironman champion. Alon-alon has submitted an estimated finishing time of 10 hours 55 minutes to Jopson’s 10 hours 58 minutes.
The event, which has attracted close to 50 triathletes, including at least two female entries, features a 3.8-kilometer open water swim, followed by a 180K bike leg, and to be capped by a full 42K marathon, is organized by the First Wave Events and sponsored by David’s Salon, Northwest Airlines, and Smart Simply Amazing.
Among the darkhorse entries of the event supported by the local governments of Lian and Calatagan, headed by Mayor Magno and Mayor Palacio, respectively, are Frank Lacson, who has given the fastest expected finishing time of a little under 10 hours, and RP based expatriates Martin Langevoord and Rune Stroem, both veteran Ironman finishers.
The two former national champions engaged in a classic duel in last year’s Half Ironman contest where Alon-alon, 37, a native of Laguna and presently an assistant coach of the national triathlon team, edged out the younger Jopson, 27, a three-time national champion and still the national record holder in this gruelling event.
Alon-alon will have experience on his side while giving away years to his younger opponent Jopson who reportedly has been in serious training also in his bid to become the first Philippine Ironman champion. Alon-alon has submitted an estimated finishing time of 10 hours 55 minutes to Jopson’s 10 hours 58 minutes.
The event, which has attracted close to 50 triathletes, including at least two female entries, features a 3.8-kilometer open water swim, followed by a 180K bike leg, and to be capped by a full 42K marathon, is organized by the First Wave Events and sponsored by David’s Salon, Northwest Airlines, and Smart Simply Amazing.
Among the darkhorse entries of the event supported by the local governments of Lian and Calatagan, headed by Mayor Magno and Mayor Palacio, respectively, are Frank Lacson, who has given the fastest expected finishing time of a little under 10 hours, and RP based expatriates Martin Langevoord and Rune Stroem, both veteran Ironman finishers.
