Santiago, Leather rule Anvaya Cove

MANILA, Philippines - Mervin Santiago overcame steep climbs in the bike leg to pull away from his rivals and rule yesterday’s seventh Anvaya Cove Invitational Triathlon held at the scenic and technical course of Anvaya Cove Beach and Nature Club in Morong, Bataan.

Santiago, 22,  won the Male Elite Olympic Distance race (1.5K swim-40K bike-10K run) in  two hours, 43 minutes, 23 seconds, more than three minutes over Raymund Velasco (2:46:34).  At third was veteran Abe Tayag (2:54:52).

“This race is tougher because it’s longer but the course especially in the bike remained the same and my familiarity with it helped me,” said Santiago, now a fitness and triathlon coach of Sante Barley.

Winner in the distaff side in the event sponsored by Globe, Ayala Land Premiere, Folded & Hung, Pacsports-Club Car, Veda Spa, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), Asian Centre for Insulation Philippines (ACIP), Standard Insurance and Gatorade was 43-year-old Lyka Leather ,who checked in over 13 minutes ahead of Nylah Bautista in 3:46:59.

Other male age group winners were Genesis Nergara (18-24), Timothy Mallario (25-29), Jethro Ramos (30-34), Mark Adrian Hernandez (35-39), Junrox Roque (40-44), RJ Lorenzo (45-49), Juan Ramon Felix (50-54), Catalino Mandi Jr. (55-59) and Brigilio Balaba (60-over). Irish Ivy Domingo (18-24) and Ma. Theresa Andres (25-34) were the other female winners.

Youth Olympic Games campaigner Vicky Deldio and her siblings Nica and Anne took titles in the female sprint and mini-sprint (13-to-15 and 16-above) categories.

Nicoli Roxas (1:38:48) emerged men’s champion in the sprint distance race while Brent Velalo (39:48) and Leonard De Ocampo (59:44) topped the male mini-sprint.

Tri Delta/999 Seth made up of Aries Louie and  Ron Pineda (1:28:09) took top honors in the team relay while Team Pangilinan composed of  Hannah Kathleen, Anthony and Donny Pangilinan ruled the family relay.

The  SuperTriKids winners were Anton Vince Castillo and Calista Felise Silamor (8-under), Samuel Compton and Isabella Pascual (9-10) and Juan Francisco Baniqued and Samantha Borlain (11-12).