Tri United stamps mark in triathlon

MANILA, Philippines - With a field of 650 participants composed mainly of first-timers, Tri United 4 established itself as the premier triathlon event for newbies  Sunday at the scenic Fontana Leisure Park in Clark, Pampanga giving the successful 2015 Tri United series of Unilab Active Health (ULAH) a fitting conclusion.

Organized by Bike King (headed by Raul Cuevas), the race saw triathletes enjoy the beginner-friendly course of 600-meter swimming at the water park’s pool, 20K biking around the park and 5K running on the resort’s rolling paths. With the execution of the rolling start-style, participants were evenly distributed in the pool, resulting in less physical contact among swimmers.

The event was sponsored by ULAH, Fontana Leisure Parks and Casino, Active Health Carb Gel, Enervon Active, Enervon HP, Oral Rehydration Salts Hydrite Granules, WeatherPhilippines, TIMEX, Saucony, Orbea, Clark Freeport, and Gardenia.

The age-group category winners were Brent Valelo and Maria Margarita Delos Reyes (15-17), Chadwick Tsai and Maria Danielle Infantado (18-24), Miguel Rigor and Kylee Therese Lagman (25-29), Francis Frederic Cruz and Richelle Hizon (30-34), Paolo Leano and Mary Grace Olfindo (35-39), Richard Ulat and Martha Goebel (40-44), Ronald Honrade (Male 45-49), May Bonalos (Female 45-above), Mark Way (Male 50-54) and Brigilio Balaba (Male 55-above).

On the team relay category of the race that also drew the support of media partners Multisports Magazine, SwimBikeRun.ph, Spin.ph and RaceDay, 2600 Tri Team (members Alfred Gonzales, John Thomas Gonzales and Geoffrey Perez) took the gold. Next was team Circuit Runners (Daniel Alagos, Anthony Eric Atienza and Lyla Mae Salinas) for the silver while Team BANG (Krizia Rechelle Tan, Maryon Mayor and Grechille One) won the bronze.

“With the higher-than-expected turnout of participants who enjoyed the race and our venue combined with the efficient organizing of Bike King, we are very happy with the overall result of hosting Tri United 4 and we look forward hosting more triathlon events here at Fontana,” said Fontana Leisure Parks and Casino recreational manager Bresnen Lomboy, who took part in the awarding ceremony.

“(The race was) Very well organized and it was pretty much fun,” said race participant Christian Gacias.

The next Tri United season will commence on February 28, 2016 at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.