CamSur triathletes shine; Buhain fifth

MANILA, Philippines - Last-minute entries from CamSur turned yesterday’s 2011 Speedo National Age Group Triathlon (NAGT) Series into a show of their own as three of their triathletes went on to win three age group titles held at the Dungaree Beach, Subic Bay Freeport.

Seven CamSur triathletes showed up to complete the 237 participants in the inaugural race of the NAGT which is organized by the Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP) and hosted by Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SMBA).

Benjamin Rana Jr., Mark Anthony Hosana and Philip Atento bagged the titles in the men’s 20-24, 17-19 and 30-34 brackets.

Rana, 25, was the best performer, winning the 1.5K swim, 40K bike and 10K distance race in two hours, 17 minutes, 45 seconds.

“I was not really expecting a victory because there are seasoned triathletes competing,” said Rana, who atoned for his slow performance in the swim (26:36) by submitting the best time in the bike (1:08:30) and run (42:39).

Former SEA Games gold medallist and Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Eric Buhain gave Rana a scare as Buhain, who came in second in the swim, was first to arrive at the transition area after the bike leg with Rana in close second.

Rana, however, burst into action immediately as he took the lead after only the first 200m and never looked back.

Nineteen-year-old Hosana (2:20:57) and 31-year old Atento (2:21:19 ) came in second and third overall to complete the impressive Camsur’s showing in the race supported by Speedo Swimming Apparel, David’s Salon, Asian Centre for Insulation Philippines, Gatorade, Citibank, Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and PSC.

Buhain, who jogged in the run leg, finished in 2:39:54 for fifth spot in the 40-44 age group.

 Joyette Jopson, meanwhile, emerged the fastest in the female class (2:41:12).

The 31-year old also made her move in the bike leg to gain ground against early leader Hazel Benipayo before unleashing her might in the run leg to rule the female 30 to 34 age class.

Speedo ads and promo manager Edalyn Ynilla was on hand to award medals to the top three finishers in the race, the first in a series of six NAGT races for the year.

Other male winners were Billy Biag (20-24), Raymund Moreno (35-39), Rafael Ocampo (40-44), Anthony Walsh (45-49), Roberto Valdez (50-54), Alfredo Santos (55-59) and George Juico (60 & over) while leader winners were Fiona Molina (17-24), Stephanie Frondoso (35-39) and Berns Tan (40 & over).

Mini-sprint champions were Jaime Basilio and Kirsten Palmer Thompson (adult), Allen Santiago and Aina Farhana Moad Basir (13-15 ), Marc Alexander Altura (boy’s 16-19). The SuperTri Kids aquathon winners were Mikhal Ramones and Nicole Daniella (9-10) and Eric Benjamin San Diego and Jhezelle Bernabe (11-12).