With his stature as the country’s top male duathlete on the line, Robeno Javier put up a spirited performance down the stretch to claim the 2014 Active Health Duathlon elite crown on Sunday at Sandbox, Alviera, Porac, Pampanga.
The 29-year-old Javier gave his all in the final run leg to spoil the bid of Ulah’s bet Benjamin Rana and duplicate his triumph in the 2012 inaugural race. Javier won the 6 kilometer run-60 km bike-4 km run event in 2 hours, 15 minutes and 37 seconds.
After finishing fourth in the bike competition, Javier gave it all in the run leg and overtook Rana in the last kilometer.
Rana fell short by 12 seconds (2:15:49) as he lost steam heading home after delivering a strong performance in the bike leg of the event supported by Unilab Active Health, Aboitiz, Active Health Sports Gel, Alviera, Enervon Activ, Enervon HP, AboitizPower, Roar Sports Drink, Timex, Orbea, Maxxis, Saucony, Shimano, Crystal Clear, OtterBox, Men’s Health magazine, Women’s Health magazine and Philippine Star.
Robinson Esteves settled for third place in 2:16:11.
Sharing top honors in the race organized by Bikeking headed by Raul Cuevas and presented by Unilab Active Health was Mirasol Abad as she showed that she fully recovered from a case of vertigo last March with a wire-to-wire victory in the distaff side.
The defending champion submitted 2:35:57 and was more than six minutes ahead of Miscelle Gilbuena with 2:42:52. Rowena Valdez took third in 2:49:16.
For their efforts, Javier and Abad took home P10,000.