NATIONAL team standout Nikko Huelgas proved his worth by posting a wire-to-wire victory in the elite division of Tri United’s opening leg at Playa Laiya in San Juan, Batangas.
Huelgas, fresh off a seventh-place finish in the Asian Triathlon Championship in Japan, topped the 1-km swim, 30-km bike and 7.5-km run competition in one hour and 30 minutes.
Kevin Eijansantos, the reigning Philippine National Games junior champion, clocked 1:39 for second place, edging coach George Vilog, who came in two minutes later.
“I had a good swim today but I need to do better in the bike and run,” Huelgas said of his stint in Batangas which he is using as part of his preparation for the K-Swiss ITU Subic Bay International Triathlon (SUBIT) next month.
The event sponsored by Unilab Active Health lured 250 participants with Unilab president and CEO Clinton Hess and executives Alex Panlilio and Lester Castillo also competing. Hess clocked 2:36:20, while Panlilio timed 2:23:45. Castillo checked in at 2:15:46.
PLDT Bike King ruled the team competition, which took into account the combined time of the 10 fastest members of the team. Unilab Active Health and T12 Camelbak Tri Team came in second and third, respectively in the event also backed by Alaxan FR, Enervon HP, I-ON Energy Drink, Landco, Bikeking, Pocari Sweat, Timex Crystal Clear, Orbea, Runner’s World, Men’s Health, Women’s Health, Weekend Warrior and SwimBikeRun.ph
Other winners: Jaime Navarro and Kim Kilgroe (18-24), Martin Carandang and Jayline Balatibat (25-29), Andy Leuterio and Alessandra Gonzalez (30-34), Dan Brown and Ani Brown (35-39), Rayzon Galdonez and Berns Tan (40-44), RJ Lorenzo (45-49), Celma Hitalia (Female 45-above), Rune Stroem (50-54), Artemio Engracia Jr. (55-Above).