Inaugural Bataan International Triathlon concludes

MANILA, Philippines–November ended with a bang for some 600 triathletes who participated in the inaugural Bataan International Triathlon (Bi3) held at the Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar in Bagac, Bataan.

The race organized by F&F International Events Group Inc. happened on the cloudy weekend of November 29 and 30, but good thing the weather remained dry, making the race course safe for all participants.

Bi3 Day 1

But the action for professional and beginner triathletes did not start until it was Sunday. On the first day of Bi3, young duathletes had the swim and run courses all to themselves when they competed in the Junior Aquathlon category of Bi3.

Finishers of the Bi3 Junior Aquathlon category. Image by INQUIRER.net.

Bi3 Day 2

And when November 30 (Sunday) arrived, all participating triathletes were up as early as 3 a.m. to prepare physically and mentally for the race.

Rapido and Largo triathletes gathered by the beach of Las Casas for the swim course. Image by INQUIRER.net.

Cold breeze blew by the Las Casas shores as the sun remained tucked in the clouds the entire morning, but the gun start for the Largo category (1.5 km swim, 2 loops; 55 km bike; 11 km run) pushed through at 6 a.m., and the Rapido category (750 m swim; 30 km bike; 5.5 km run) followed 30 minutes later.

Triathletes finishing the swim course of Bi3. Image by INQUIRER.net.

A triathlete during transition. Image by INQUIRER.net.

A triathlete getting started with the bike course of Bi3. Image by INQUIRER.net.

Triumphant triathletes

During the Bi3 briefing, triathletes were reminded not to rush especially during the Bike course of the race as the trail has sharp turns which, if traversed recklessly, may result in mishaps and injuries.

And given this reminder, spectators of the race somehow projected that the fastest triathlete (whether from the Rapido or the Largo category) will finish the race in at least two hours.

But the Team Captain of the Philippine National Triathlon Team was determined to prove everyone wrong. Just when the hype was starting to tone down, Nikko Huelgas secured himself the number one spot in the Rapido category by finishing the race in just 1 hour, 36 minutes, and 55 seconds.

PH National Triathlon Team captain Nikko Huelgas aces the Rapido category of Bi3, finishing all three courses in 1 hour, 36 minutes, and 55 seconds. Image by INQUIRER.net.

Meanwhile, Australian Champion XTERRA triathlete Ben Allen finished the Largo category in 2 hourse, 55 minutes, and 35 seconds.

Other triumphant triathletes include:

Rapido

Male Top 3:

1. Nikko Huelgas (1:36:55)
2. Julius Angelo Panopio (2:05:33)
3. Nicoli Roxas (2:09:35)

Male Age Group 16-19:

1. Albert Carl Sanchez (2:27:56)
2. Pocholo Miguel Espina (2:29:24)
3. Allen Ivan Sta. Maria (2:45:52)

Male Age Group 20-24:

1. Joseph Angan (2:14:41)
2. Victor Maximo Uy (2:16:19)
3. Carlos Francisco Ochoas (2:32:40)

Male Age Group 25-29:

1. Byron Cantonjos (2:21:45)
2. Wernher Lancelot Asprec (2:26:50)
3. Francis Victor Corporal (2:30:39)

Male Age Group 30-34:

1. Benjho Bernardo (2:10:45)
2. Carlo Castro (2:13:16)
3. Mark Lester Ong (2:13:39)

Male Age Group 35-39:

1. Benedicto Kim Toress (2:14:17)
2. Gary Nepomuceno (2:18:52)
3. Cesar Lumiwes (2:22:50)

Male Age Group 40-44:

1. Marvin Campanella (2:16:34)
2. Melvin Ching (2:33:36)
3. Manuel Mendoza (2:34:05)

Male Age Group 45-49:

1. Angelo Panopio (2:12:27)
2. Arnel Tiquia (2:29:54)
3. Norman Davadilla (2:30:13)

Male Age Group 50 and over:

1. Albert Bartilad (2:32:00)
2. Ernesto Torres (2:43:10)
3. Roger Yamat (2:51:26)

Female Top 3:      

1. Marie Antonniette Balagtas (2:25:54)
2. Rosa Leopando (2:32:54)
3. Heather Europa (2:38:39)

Female Age Group 20-24:

1. Francesca Gabrielle Garcia (2:59:26)
2. Mary Victoria Paglicawan (4:16:16)

Female Age Group 25-29:

1. Kazimir Kira Ang (3:08:14)

Female Age Group 30-34:

1. Richelle Hizon (2:39:41)
2. Jamie Aquino Silva (2:46:21)
3. Marie Stephanie Torres (2:57:35)

Female Age Group 35-39:

1. Cecille Ty (2:52:07)
2. Christine Ina Torres (3:08:37)
3. Maria Josephine De Peralta (3:14:55)

Female 40 and over:

1. Gladys Honrade (2:39:33)
2. Lara Parpan (2:39:59)
3. Twinkle Cipriano (2:40:41)

Rapido Amigo:

1. Mike Salonga and Joselito Obra (2:19:26)
2. Ian Oliver Canieso and Patrick Jerome Tan (2:29:42)
3. Cynthia Co and Julius Co (2:51:09)

Largo

Male Top 3:

1. Benjamin Allen (2:55:35)
2. John Abdul (3:05:19)
3. Mervin Santiago (3:14:44)

Male Age Group 20-24:

1. Rodolfo Merano (4:01:54)
2. Heinrich Christian Gasacao 4:09:34
3. Rafael Dominic De La Echiverri (4:10:11)

Male Age Group 25-29:

1. Aiken Ting (3:54:52)
2. Chris Jansen Santos (3:58:47)
3. Jan Dominique Oliveros J’s (4:16:29)

Male Age Group 30-34:

1. Joseph Miller (3:22:01)
2. Gergo Bota (3:34:47)
3. Jeric Gonzalez Saclauso (3:41:35)

Male Age Group 35-39:

1. Ariand Macasieb (3:17:53)
2. Franklin Penalosa (3:25:17)
3. Ferdinand Capco (3:56:11)

Male Age Group 40-44:

1. Rayzon Galdonez (3:15:46)
2. Julian Valencia (3:54:28)
3. Nuno Romao (3:57:27)

Male Age Group 45-49:

1. Honrade Ronald (3:58:36)
2. Edan Empainado (4:17:27)
3. Gracito Racca (4:21:16)

Male Age Group 50 and over:

1. Frank Lacson (3:38:35)
2. Angelito Bolina (4:08:42)
3. Nino Fajardo (4:24:08)

Top 3 Female:

1. Jacqueline Slack (3:23:11)
2. Sadra Reid (4:08:27)
3. Mira Tiffany Santos (4:19:21)

Female Age Group 25-29:

1. Kriska Sto. Domingo (4:21:22)
2. Caroline Orcena (4:59:17)
3. Edith Felix (5:05:44)

Female Age Group 30-34:

1. Hazel Tolibas Abarratigue (5:03:01)
2. Shermin Claire Tuazon (5:15:03)

Female Age Group 35-39:

1. Maria Margarita Hizon (4:27:21)
2. Liza Jane Lagadia (4:38:57)
3. Junie Santos (5:08:25)

Female Age Group 40 and over:

1. Anna Maria Mapua (4:39:33)
2. Charit Agana (4:57:45)
3. Margaret Greenwood (5:05:15)

Amigo Largo:

1. Oliver Templo and Manuel Dela Serna (4:46:17)
2. Rajendra Abella and Jordan Corpus (4:49:06)
3. Arold Mikko Jao and Ryan Jervis Jao (5:06:48)

Team Relay:

1. Claire Ann Galang, Nino Arriola, and Christopher Molines (3:56:12)
2. Team of Michael Gapan, Aina Geminese Garcia, and Kerwin Meily (3:59:18)
3. Katherine Kaye Lopez and Micki Josue (4:05:26)

Foreign pros on Bi3

Australian Champion XTERRA triathlete Ben Allen and British XTERRA triathlete Jacqui Slack hanging out during the Bi3 post-race lunch. Image by INQUIRER.net.

Asked about their race experience in the Philippines, British XTERRA triathlete Jacqui Slack said, “You know the race is all about the whole experience and the package and that’s what brings us to the Philippines, ‘cause you guys offer the best races.”

“It’s a great course, very very challenging and the venue is amazing,” she added, referring to the Las Casas heritage resort.

Australian XTERRA triathlete Ben Allen echoed Slack’s thoughts by saying, “To have a race in this location with the culture and the heritage that’s involved, it’s fantastic.”

“We come here as athletes to challenge ourselves in all the toxic conditions and against competitors but it (Bi3) just gave us a whole new perspective. [I mean] Here, we’re indulging ourselves in the true Filipino culture that’s dating back to years and years, so it’s fantastic to be involved in it,” he continued.

Allen added that in fact, almost every triathlon course that he has taken in the Philippines is challenging because it takes great effort and concentration to finish each, not to mention the presence of phenomenal Filipino athletes to compete with.

Bi3 concludes

Meanwhile, F&F International Events Group Inc. President Raymund Magdaluyo says the team is happy with the overall outcome of the first ever Bi3 as they achieved the “festive triathlon” they were aiming for, thanks to the magical venue they found in Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar.

Magdaluyo also told INQUIRER.net that the team is looking into making Bi3 an annual multisport event in Bataan alongside the hopes of Bi3 becoming the biggest triathlon event in the country.

Batang-Tri Grassroots Program

Meanwhile, Blackbeard’s Seafood Island, a Bi3 co-organizer, continues to raise funds for its Batang-Tri Grassroots Program through the Jomac Boodle.

The inaugural Bataan International Triathlon was brought to you by: Blackbeard’s Seafood Island and Pepsi in cooperation with Aqua Sphere, Diamond Rent a Car, TIMEX, Pharex, Asia Brewery Inc., Glass Solutions, Columbia, Shimano; with special thanks to Smart and Rexona.

Media partners for the event are INQUIRER.net, Multisport, ABS-CBN News Channel, Business World, Runner’s World, The Philippine Star, Women’s Health, Men’s Health, Pinoy Fitness, Swim Philippines, Swim Bike Run, Eat Out Manila, and 96.3 Easy Rock.

Bi3 was hosted by: Bataan, Bayan ng Bagac, and Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar.

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