Patilan tops mini-sprint triathlon

MANILA, Philippines - Fourteen-year-old Jimuel Patilan emerged one of the winners in yesterday’s 2012 Century Tuna first Leg National Age Group Triathlon Series at Dungaree Beach in Subic Bay Freeport.

 A native of Olongapo City and a product of the Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP) youth development program under coach Melvin Fausto, Patilan easily overcame Mark Pile and Jose Nobles with solid performance in the 350m swim, 16K bike and 2.5K run mini-sprint to record his first win since breaking into this endurance sport May of last year.

“I’ve been a consistent second place finisher to Allen Santiago in my past events including the Batang Pinoy National Finals. I’m glad to finally have won a race and this will keep my drive to become a national team player going,” said Patilan, who negotiated the distance in 42 minutes, 06 seconds.

A newcomer to the national pool, Santiago has moved up to the 750m swim, 20K bike and 5K run sprint race and opened his campaign with a bang by bagging the gold medal in the male 16-19 age group against the more seasoned Marc Alexander Altura (1:09:14).

Fast rising Magali Bernasconi Echauz ruled the female 13-15 mini-sprint in 48:15 to also maintain her lofty position as a potential member of the national pool.

A total of 248 triathletes saw action in the opening leg of the six-series NAGT being organized by TRAP and now presented by Century Tuna in cooperation with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority.

“I’m happy that the NAGT is again off the ground since this is an important part in our year-long program. We are committed to continue holding the series with our supporters while financial assistance given to us by the Philippine Sports Commission will be channeled to our national athletes with a number of them products of the NAGT,” said TRAP president Tom Carrasco Jr.

CamSur triathlete Franklin Penaloza and British expat Carly Relf won the standard distance race in the event also supported by Gatorade, Arena, Standard Insurance and Asian Centre for Insulation Philippines Inc.

Penaloza negotiated the 1.5m swim, 40K bike and 10K run in 2:19:17 to bagged top honors in the male 35-39 division while Relf banked on her strength in the swim and bike for a 2:42:34 time and the gold in the female 35-39 category.

Other winners: John Paul Gaviola (17-19), Jeremiah Isip (25-29), Javy Olives (30-34), Levy Ang (40-44), Lorenzo Ocampo (45-49) and Eduardo Francisco (50-54), male; Karen Kate Pascual (25-29) and Ivy Mendoza (40-over).Bea Hufana and Clifton Esteban (adult mini sprin), t Aina Farid and Jenny Bautista (16-19 adult sprint); Fernando Diaz and Samanta Diaz (9-10) and Nathan Nalo and Veronica Deldio (11-12), STK Aquathlon.