Czech runs away from 5150 field

Jakub Langhammer flashed his superb biking skills to end a long search for a local crown on Sunday, while Aussie Dimity Lee Duke dominated the women’s side in the pro division of the first Penong’s 5150 in Davao that was reduced to a duathlon.

Langhammer charged back from fourth after the first leg of the 2.5km run-40km bike-10km run event with a strong showing in the middle stage, then cruised to victory in one-hour and 46 minutes, his first triumph in the country after a number of failed bids, including a third place effort in Black Arrow 5150 won by Mitch Robins in Subic last November.

The multititled Duke, on the other hand, took charge early and won pulling away in 02:02:10 with Kiwi Laura Wood coming in way behind in 02:09:02 in their side of the centerpiece division.

Originally set over the Olympic distance of 1.5k swim-40K bike-10K run race, organizers scrapped the swim due to concerns over the quality of water on the eve of the event, citing the safety of the participants as their top priority.

Though a duathlon competition, the Czech still seized the moment, posting the fastest time of 57:28 in the bike to take control on his way to beating New Zealand’s Kiera McPherson by over three minutes for top honors worth $2,000.

Langhammer timed eight minutes in the opening run and closed out at 37:21.

McPherson and Robins of Australia turned in identical clockings of 00:07:59 in the first run part but failed to keep in step with Langhammer in the bike.