Borling, Santiago keep XTERRA age-group titles

DARAGA, Albay, Philippines – Brian Borling of Team Herbalife repeated as champ in the men’s 25-29 division to lead the age-group winners in the XTERRA Albay off-road triathlon that ended at Cagsawa Ruins Sunday.

Borling negotiated the 1.5k swim, 32k bike and 9k run held in the surroundings of Mayon Volcano with the same form that made him victorious last year in Liloan Cebu, finishing the race in 3:00:06 to beat Australian Josh Campton (3:07:26) and Renel Brenecio of Camsur Tri Team (3:11:44) for the diadem.

Borling’s winning time was 11th overall in the full distance races, next only to the pros led by male champ Bradley Weiss of South Africa and female ruler and reigning world titlist Flora Duffy, and the Filipino elite medalists led by John Leerams Chicano.

Mervin Rendel Santiago, who was the 18-24 champion in 2014, ruled the 20-24 category in 3:11:50, beating Jumamil Paul Igang (3:19:00) and Jeron Payong of Camsur Tri Team (3:29:53).

Warren Patrocinio of Hazgato Triathlon (35-39) likewise improved from second in Liloan to first this year with a winning time of 3:21:09. He nosed out Philip Atento of Unilab Active Health (3:30:14) and Nino Mancita of Team Albay (3:33:48) for the plum.

Sharing the limelight were victors Michael Kenji Hashimoto (3:53:38) in 15-19; Rafael Vargas (3:06:19) in 30-34; Ronald Parantar (3:27:49) in 40-44; Tengoy Colmenares (3:41:03) in 45-49; David Desantis (3:33:54) in 50-54; Makoto Katayama (5:47:40) in 55-59; Richard Schneider (5:03:28) in 60-64; and Masashi Ando (5:54:35) in 65-69 in the men’s division of the event organized by Sunrise Events, Inc.

Cynthia Fe Ras (5:37:59) in 20-24; Vanessa Hans (3:56:39) in 25-29; Ylang ylang Jordan (5:27:34) in 30-34; Camilla Brooks (4:46:03) in 35-39; Anna Mapua (5:32:27) in 40-44; and Lesley Davidson (5:00:07) in 45-49 ruled the distaff side of the swim-bike-run event held as part of Tourism Board’s “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” and “Visit the Philippines 2015” program.

Teener Luis Embate of Camsur Tri Team and actor-TV host Ryan Agoncillo of Dirty Breakfast led the winners’ circle in XTERRA Lite, which features 500-m swim, 19k mountain bike and 4.5k trail run.

Embate topped the 15-19 age bracket in 1:49:05, setting the best overall time in the half distance competitions while Agoncillo dominated the 35-39 division with a clocking of 2:02:47.

Joining them in the honor roll were male bets Marc Jhorel Dacudao (3:10:40) in 20-24; Andreas Jeppesen (1:57:31) in 25-29; Mendelf Billedo (2:00:21) in 30-34; Philip Bucad (1:57:34) in 40-44; Rowell Miles Corro (2:39:44) in 45-49; and Robert Tan (2:45:04) in 50-54; and female entries Kimberly Dacay (2:57:22) in 25-29; Rhea Jamisola (2:28:55) in 35-39; Stephanie Sy (2:59:04) in 40-44; and Rocio Pantaleon (4:49:15) in 45-49.