O'Halloran, Torres dominate Tri United 2 Triathlon

MANILA, Philippines - Matthew O’Halloran of Team Alaska TBB scored twin kills while TriMac’s Monica Torres topped the distaff side in the Tri United 2 Triathlon at Playa Laiya, San Juan, Batangas over the weekend.

O’Halloran bucked the heat and the tough field to rule the 2km swim, 60km bike, 15km run event in 2:50:27, beating Camsur’s Benjamin Rana, who clocked 3:08:26 and August Benedicto of Unilab, who timed 3:0:02.

Torres, on the other hand, humbled former national champion Ani de Leon-Brown to claim the title in 3:19:55. Brown clocked 3:31:06.

Team PLDT-Bike King, led by former national coach Peter Gonzalez, dominated its rivals by finishing with a combined time of 37:48:34 in the 10-man team competition of the event sponsored by Unilab Active Health, Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos Recto, Province of Batangas, Plya Laiya, Dolfenal, Enervon HP, I-ON Energy Drink, Landco, Bike King, PLDT SME Nation, Pocari Sweat, Timex, Crystal Clear, Orbea, Explore Bohol, Corima, Runner’s World, Men’s Health, Aboitiz Power, Weekend Warrior and SwimBikeRun.ph.

Unilab Active Health finished second with a 39:36:50 clocking while TriMac ended up third with 41:54:48.

The other winners were Sprint distance: Eric Stroem (18-24), Marisol Abad and Luigi Robles (25-29), Andrea Barreto (30-34), Brian Acosta and Kate Abelarde (35-39), Oliver Kempo and Maricel Laxa Pangilinan (40-44), Ronald Honrede (45-49), Edwin Cagiyat (50-54), and Gary Brown (55-above);

Long distance: Nino Lagasca and Keisha Fule (18-24), Don Velasco and Izah Sueno (25-29), Philip Atento and Camilla Brooks (30-34), Julian Valencia and Ani Brown (35-39), Peter Gonzalez and Bernstein Tan (40-44), Celma Hitalia (45-above), Albert Altura (45-49), Eduardo Francisco (50-54), Alfredo Santos (55-above) and IMC-PAF Air Force (team relay).

Over 620 participants joined the Bike King-organized event which was broadcast online via live streaming.

Batangas Vice Gov. Mark Leviste was impressed with the huge turnout in the two-day event.

Meanwhile, the third and final leg of the Tri United series will be hosted by Ayala Alabang Village in Muntinlupa City in November.