Chicano, Czech reign in Unilab Tri United triathlon

MANILA, Philippines - John Chicano overcame the heat and the opposition to win the Elite title in the kickoff leg of Unilab Active Health’s 2014 Tri United season yesterday at Subic Bay.

Chicano outlasted second-running Nikko Huelgas in the Standard Distance 1.5K swim-40K bike-10K run  to win in two hours, one minute. 14 seconds.

Huelgas, who took part in three events prior to Tri United 1, timed 2:03:22 while Augusto Benedicto finished a close third in 2:03:49.

The event, which drew close to 700 participants, was sponsored by Unilab Active Health, Aboitiz, Subic Holiday Villas, AboitizPower, Orbea, Shimano, Crystal Clear, Maxxis, Pocari Sweat, TIMEX, Saucony and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Tourism Department.

On the distaff side, 2012 London Olympian Radka Vodickova of the Czech Republic flattened the elite field with a runaway time of 2:08:40. Far behind was Monica Torres (2:15:57). Joint third Anna Stroh and Ma. Claire Ordona clocked 2:20:44.

The Czech claimed the top prize of P10,000 and a specially designed trophy and gift packs.

Standard distance age-group champions were MervinSantiago and Claudia Tagle (18-24), Robinson Estevez and Chloe Ong (25-29),Jeremiah Isip and Jayline Balatibat (30-34),Edison Morales and Lezette Albarote (35-39), Rayzon Galdonez and Doray Ellis (40-44), Jojo Macalintal and Mariela Pow (45-49), Frank Lacson (50-54) and Thomas Kuhne (55-above).

Meanwhile, Team Fitness First won the team competition in 26:01:05.

Sprint distance champions were Jimuel Patillan and Vicky Deldio (16-17), Justin Danguilan and Margarita Lazo (18-29), Mark Hernandez and Maria Hizon (30-39), Julius Buen (40-49) and Nona Torres (female 40-above) and Enrico Ibana (50-above).

For the first time, the event featured a single 1.5K swim loop that included a yacht as turnaround point, bike technical support by Shimano and Maxxis and leaders swim caps worn by Tri United series age-group and elite champions.

Next from Bikeking and ULAH is Tri United 2 set July 6 at Laiya, San Juan, Batangas.

Updates, results: www.bikekingphilippines.com; www.unilabactivehealth.com