FITNESS FIRST Body Combat ruled the team competition for the fourth straight year even as rising stars Benjamin Rana and Monica Torres emerged the fastest among the age groupers in the recent 18th ITU-K-Swiss Subic Bay International Triathlon at the Subic Bay Freeport.
The team champion since 2007, Fitness First triumphed with a team made up this time of national coach Dan Brown, Mark Ellis, Andy Leuterio, Melvin Wong and Doray Ellis.
Fitness First posted a total clocking of nine hours, 50 minutes and four seconds to beat back the challenge of Yellow Cab-Tri Clark David’s and Herbalife Team I in the race organized by Triathlon Association of the Philippines in cooperation with Subic Bay Metro-politan Authority and presenter K-Swiss.
Yellow Cab Tri Clark David, made up of Joyette Jopson, Jeff Valdez, Abe Tayag, Jumbo Tayag and Rene Tayag, clocked 10:01:43 to beat perennial podium finisher Herbalife Team I (10:02:29) for second place.
Rana, meanwhile, anchored his performance on the best run split of 38:45 to claim the gold medal in the 25-29 class in 2:15.36.
National assistant coach George Vilog finished second in 2:16:28, followed by August Benedicto (2:16:45), Billy Biag (2:18:52) and Mark Anthony Hosana (2:18:52).
Torres cashed in on the no-show of two-time champion Ani Karina De Leon to claim top female honors with a time of 2:32:02.
Ellis (2:42:38), Jopson (2:43:36), Mirasol Abad (2:45:44) and Rizielle Tangan (2:48:56) rounded out the top five.
Other age-group winners: Men—Mervin Kencel Santiago (17-19), Billy Biag (20-24), Ferdinand Catabian II (30-34), George Vilog (35-39), Mark Ellis (40-44), Anthony Welsh (45-49), Alvin Alindogan (50-54), Niels Have (55-59), Paul Rawlingson (60-above). Women—Zinnia Villarin (20-24), Sen. Pia Cayetano (45-above). Steve Silva, Contributor