Ganzon, Benedicto rule Mango Man Triathlon

MANILA, Philippines - Alexandra Ganzon and Augusto Benedicto ruled their respective divisions to lead the winners in the second Mango Man Triathlon in Guimaras recently.

Ganzon timed three hours, five minutes, 18 seconds in the women’s side of the Olympic-standard triathlon (3K swim, 40K bike and 10K run) held alongside the third Manggahan fun run as part of the province’s 20th Manggahan Festival.

May Antonette Nunez placed second (3:11:42 and  Melissa Jane Jaroda  third (3:17:51).

Benedicto also stamped his class in the men’s division, clocking 2:22:42 to beat Franklin Penalosa (2:37:03) and Frank Echeverria (2:49:15).

The team of Chris Rcel Guillergan, Oliver Portillano and Jero Jaro topped the triathlon relay in 2:18:03, besting Jude Dejilla, Rj Fuentes, and Romulo Balinas (2:22:57) and the troika of Paul dela Rama, Timogen Manayon and Douglas Mwiti (2:24:30).

The event drew close to 1,000 racers with Guimaras Gov. Felipe Hilan Nava and Pyt Trimanez, race director, gracing the flag-off.

Jason Agravante and Jennelyn Nobleza reigned for the second time in their respective divisions in the 10K race, turning in 35:11 and 45:05 clockings, respectively. Mark Cagnao and Mary Vargas took the men’s and women’s 5K crowns in 21:26 and 26:13, respectively.

The Manggahan Festival was first held in 1993 to commemorate the first anniversary of Guimaras as a full-pledged province.