Catiil shines in Subic age group triathlon

MANILA, Philippines - Neil Catiil uncorked the form that made him the toss of Philippine triathlon the past years to rule yesterday’s 2012 K-Swiss Subic Bay International Triathlon Age Group Championships presented by Century Tuna at the Subic Bay Freeport.

The 25-year old Catiil displayed a balanced attack to spoil the challenge of national duathlon member August Benedicto in the race organized by the Triathlon Association of the Philippines.

Former top female duathlete Monica Torres relied on her strong performance in the bike and run leg to dominate the distaff side, which attracted 24 lady triathletes.

The Cagayan de Oro triathlete who was dropped from the national team roster at the start of the year due to conflicts with races she is set to compete in, negotiated the 1.5K swim, 40K bike and 10K run race in 2 hours, 16 minutes, 38 seconds.

Catiil was the second competitor to come out of the water at Dungaree Beach after noted swimmer Guy Concepcion. He relaxed a little bit in the bike, before unleashing a big windup.

Benedicto came in second at 2:20:37 but recorded the best bike split at 1:08:50.

At third was national coach George Vilog (2:24:15). He and Catiil also bagged the gold medal in the 25-29 and 35-39 age groups.

Torres anchored her solid performance with the best bike and run splits at 1:17:38 and 44:12 to highlight the fastest time among the female competitors at 2:31:41. She won the gold medal in the 25-29 class.

Former SEAG silver medalist Sandra Araullo-Gonzales took second (2:35:07) and Doray Ellis third (2:41:44). Araullo-Gonzales and Ellis bagged the gold in the 30-34 and 40-44 age divisions.

The event is supported by K-Swiss, Century Tuna, Speedo, David’s Salon, Travelers Hotel, Asian Centre For Insulation Philippines, Gatorade and Standard Insurance.

For topping the male and female categories, Catiil and Torres will be rewarded with an all-expenses trip to compete in the Hong Kong ITU Triathlon Asian Cup slated late this year.

A total of 550 triathletes took part in the second and final day of the race that is also being supported by Harbor Point Ayala Malls, SM City Olongapo, Fitness First and Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).

Other winners in the different age group categories were Eduardo Pertierra (male 18-19); Mervin Santiago and Kim Kilgroe (male/female 20-24); Jeff Valdez (male  30-34); Michelle Villanueva (female 35-39); Mark Ellis (male 40-44); Abel Alon Alon and Celma Hitalia (malef/female 45-49); Rne Stroem (male 50-54); Alvin Alindogan (Male 55-59); and Virgilio Balaba (male 60 and over).