Mangrobang dominates Camsur 5150 field

Kim Mangrobang rides unmolested.—CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

CAMARINES SUR—The in-form Kim Mangrobang and Edward Macalalad dominated the bike and run legs of their respective divisions on Sunday to rule the 5150 CamSur race, with the many-time National team member cruising to bag the women’s crown.

Mangrobang, who got out of the 1.5-kilometer swim a close second to Erika Burgos, wrested command in the 40-km and sustained a breakneck pace in the 10-km run to time two hours, 22 minutes and 35 seconds as the sport made a nostalgic return to this scenic city.

“I’m just so happy because when I race in the 70.3 in 2011, I think I was the youngest (in the field) at that time,” Mangrobang said in Filipino. “I’ve returned to see some of the same people cheering me on. They are so supportive.”

The winner of the inaugural 5150 Dapitan last September, Mangrobang attributed her excellent form to consistent training with the national team. She emphasized that races like these are part of their yearlong preparation.

“As part of the national team, we train the whole year and this is just one of the training races lined up for us,” she added.

Burgos, despite her struggles atop her bike, salvaged second at 2:26:33, while Bea Quiambao placed third with a 2:29:28 clocking.

Macalalad, meanwhile, claimed the title in 2:08:38, with John Ciron (2:10:36) and Mark Hosana (2:11:27) placing second and third, respectively.