Jumamil rules tough Durianman Triathlon

ISLAND GARDEN CITY OF SAMAL , Philippines — Paul Jumamil bucked flu-like symptoms and went full throttle in the grueling cross-channel swim stage to gain early control en route to ruling the AirAsia Durianman Triathlon here yesterday.

Jumamil built a near 10-minute cushion in the opening swim leg to make up for his struggle in the run leg as he bested the elite field to clinch the overall crown in 2:53:22.

Jumamil pumped the air as he made a big leap to the finish line, celebrating his victory over five-time champion Jong Sajulga (2:57:09) and third placer Juanito Mahinay (2:59:05).

Jumamil also unseated last year’s winner Jonard Saim, who was nursing a gash on his knee he suffered in the recent XTERRA Danao, settling for fourth in 3:05:46.

“I’m thankful to the Lord because He gave me the strength to finish this. The effect of the medicine I took before the race wore off at the run stage so I just gave it my all to the end,” said Jumamil, who after crossing the finish line immediately sat on the ground and remained there as he was attended by the medics.

Sajulga’s bid for a sixth title was stymied by a delay in his swim phase where he, along with Mahinay, got veered about a kilometer away from the swim exit due to the current and had to make a mad dash passing through the adjacent resorts and the main road to return to the course.

The 1.5-km point-to-point cross channel swim from Sasa, Davao to Club Samal Resort crossing Pakiputan Channel proved to be the toughest part of the race with a number of athletes quitting.

After the swim, the participants pedaled a 40-km two-loop bike course along Circumferential Road before tackling the 10-km out-and-back run stage also along Circumferential Road.

The Durianman race, now on its seventh staging, was organized by the Triathlon Association of Davao.