Mendoza rules Pocari duathlon

MANILA, Philippines — Former Asian duathlon champion Ryan Mendoza stayed at the forefront of his sport as the 35-year-old racer ruled the Pocari Sweat Duathlon Sunday at the Bonifacio Global City in Taguig.

Banking on his pet bike event, Mendoza captured the elite men’s crown by clocking 1 hour, 31 minutes and 21 seconds in the 6K run-30K bike-4K run event.

Another veteran also topped the women’s side as 40-year-old Doray Ellis dominated with a 1:52:42 clocking to emerge as the only female athlete to beat the two-hour psychological barrier.

Topping  the team division were John Paul Gaba and Ryan Salcedo who timed 1:42.43 in the race that drew 250 entries.

“Just like before, I pulled away in the bike leg,” said Mendoza, who posted the best splits of 21:39, 54:16 and 15:25 minutes.

Mendoza, the Philippine Air Force enlistedman who also topped the 42k Subic International Marathon last month, said it paid to stay in competitive shape always.

“That’s why I wasn’t surprised with my running performance,” Mendoza added in Filipino.

Xycos Angelo Gonzago finished second overall with a 1:35:18 clocking, also the best time posted in the 30-34 age group.

Other age group winners include Mervin Santiago (1:38:41), Michael Raymundo (1:38:55), Julian Valencia (1:39:55), Mark Ellis (1:42:43), Bong Patrimonio (1:51:04), Jose Trinidad (1:42:21), Wayne Dearing (1:58:00), Fiona Lauren Molina (2:05:23) and Kaight Forgie (2:04:55).

Pocari Sweat sales and marketing manager Kenneth Mercado presided over the awarding ceremony of the event organized by Bike King.

Nine more Bike King races are lined up this year, including the Tri United and Bike United Series and the Timex 226 Bohol Triathlon.