Borling, Jenkins shine among local triathletes

LAPU-LAPU CITY—Brian Borling and Nikolai Jenkins led the cast of Filipinos who ruled their respective age groups in the Cobra Ironman 70.3 Philippines Asia Pacific Championships.

Borling of Team Herbalife was crowned champion in the male 25-29 bracket after crossing the line at Shangri-La’s Mactan Spa & Resort here in four hours, 46 minutes and 47 seconds.

Jenkins earlier completed the 1.9-kilometer swim, 90K bike and 21K run test of endurance in 4:37:53 to dominate the male 30-34 category and subdue Ronald Molit, another Team Herbalife bet who placed second in 4:44:40. Kyle Sole of South Africa placed third (4:47:45).

Peter Villocino checked in second (4:58:24) after losing steam on the bike sequence, allowing the 29-year-old Borling to bounce back in the swim. Singapore’s An Yeong Yang wound up third in their group, almost 13 minutes behind Borling.

Four other Filipinos ruled their respective age brackets in the race that lured almost 3,000 participants from 43 countries.

Mervin Santiago and Jenefer Paloma dominated the 18-24 group, Christopher Eyao topped the male 40-44 while Keren Miers finished the race with the fastest clocking in the male 55-59.

Also impressive in the male 35-39 group were Nazi Nazario and Mike Atanante of Team HTI with Filipino female champion Monica Torres, Rayzon Galdonez and Sherwin Dela Paz as coaches.

August Benedicto, who has ruled the local circuit the past few years, retained his Filipino men’s elite trophy on his birthday.

In the 60-64 bracket, Josef Gueta of Israel ruled in 6:59:08, followed by Inquirer News Editor Jun Engracia (8:09:27)

Other winners: Australian Graham Crocker (male 65-69), Singaporean Sin Guan Tan (male 50-54), US’ Celma Hitalia (female 50-54), Todd Gilmore of Vietnam (male 45-49), Anne Lavandon (female 45-49), Janine Willis of Australia (female 40-44), Timothy Cosulich of Italy (male 35-39), Hong Kong’s Suet Fan Wong (female 35-39)