SURIGAO CITY (MindaNews/08 Dec) – Sunday’s inclement weather as typhoon Ruby left Mindanao did not stop at least duathletes from participating in the 1st Surigao Duathlon Challenge, which Jefferson Tabacon of Tagum City and Anna Katharina Kramer of Germany won.
Tabacon won in the men’s category after completing the five kilometer run, 30- kilometer bike and final five-kilometer run with total time of one hour and thirty five minutes and fifty five seconds (1:35:55)
Tabacon was trailed behind by Surigao’s ace Jay Baldonado who clocked 1:36:20.
Cagayan de Oro’s triathlete Mark Balanay, a recent champion in the Manta Triathlon competition which was held in Misamis Oriental, settled for third place as he crossed the finish line with 1:38:01.
John Topia, a participant from Pagadian City should have been declared as an over-all champion in the men’s category after he finished the race with a total time of 1: 35:38 seconds but race officials penalized him with five minutes deduction as he erred during the transition.
“He did not dismount on his bike at the dismounting area and violation is subject to a five minute penalty,” said Dr. Jaimenito Go, one of the race officials.
In the women’s category, Anna Katharina Kramer of Germany finished strong with a total time of 2:13:04 seconds.
“It’s my first time to ride a bike, I have no training in the bike and run as well. I enjoyed it so much,” Kramer told MindaNews.
Surigao triathlete Cynthia Quinton finished second while Butuan debutant Christine Villamor finished in the third, respectively.
Winners in the 18-29 age group are John Topia of Pagadian (1:40:37); Ivan Komyshan (1:48:17) of Perth, Australia and Reynante Gabor (1:49:13) of Butuan City.
Participants belonging to the 30-39 age-group who showed prowess were Amiel Sampayan (1:44:55); Ryhs Bonpin (1:57:32) and Daryl Sevilla (2:12:35) while those above 40 were Ernesto Sagarino (1:54:48), Ricky Caballero (2:09:25) and Val Regan Matias III (2:12:35).
The first Surigao Duathlon challenge was co-presented by Team Triathlon Surigao and Surigao Runners Club.
Proceeds of this event were intended for athletes of Ipil National High School in Barangay Ipil.
Dr. Jay Gonzalez, president of Team Traithlon Surigao said the event was a huge success despite the bad weather. (Roel Catoto / MindaNews)