TRAILING for most of the race, Unilab bet August Benedicto came up with a strong finishing kick to complete a stunning victory yesterday in the Active Health Duathlon in Clark, Pampanga.
Warming up for the Malakoff Powerman Asian Championship in Malaysia next month, Benedicto pulled the rug from under Robeno Javier of the Philippine team, finishing the 6-km run, 40-km bike and 4-km run event in an hour, 36 minutes and 29 seconds.
Javier, who led at the end of the first run leg and the first lap of the bike leg, settled for second with a time of 1:38:25, while Carlo Pedregoza crossed the finish line 25 seconds later and salvaged third spot.
Not to be outdone, World Games veteran Mirasol Abad lived up to her lofty billing, claiming top honors in the women’s division with a 1:52:49 clocking.
Kim Mangrobang checked in at second spot, after clocking 1:55:54 while the bronze went to London-bound Sandra Araullo-Gonzalez (1:56:49).
The other winners were Claire Adorna and Jaime Navarro (18-24); Chloe Ong and Chris Iblan (25-29); Mercy Go and Angelo Gonzalo (30-34); Camilla Brooks and Abe Tayag (35-39); Bernadette Tan and Junroz Roque (40-44); Tina Reyes and Enrico Rosil (45-49), Thomas Kun (Male 50-54) and Nol Espino (Male 55-over).
The event, backed by Unilab Active Health, Enervon Activ, Enervon HP, I-On Energy Drink, Hydrite, Aboitiz Power, 3rd District of Bohol, Pocari Sweat, TIMEX, Crystal Clear Purified Water, Saucony, Orbea, Corima, Clarkvisit.com, Global Gateway Logistics City, SCTEX, BCDA and Holiday Inn Clark, drew 672 participants. Cedelf P. Tupas