Nicole Andaya, Matthew Hermosa shine in historic 5150 Dapitan

Nicole Andaya wins at the 5150 Dapitan Triathlon.–CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

DAPITAN CITY – Nicole Andaya and Matthew Hermosa delivered commanding performances to claim the overall championship in their respective divisions at the 5150 Dapitan Triathlon in Zamboanga del Norte on Sunday.

Andaya, representing the Usuals team, clocked 22:42 in the swim, maintained her lead with a 1:16:38 bike time, and capped it off with a 54:03 run to finish the 1.5 km swim, 40 km bike, and 10 km run in 2:36:00.

She finished more than three minutes ahead of Joanne Cruz from Tri SND Barracuda, who came in second at 2:39:59, while Lourdes Ramos secured third in 2:40:05.

READ: Burgos fancied to repeat in 5150 Bohol

Competing in only her second 5150 event, Andaya was thrilled with the unexpected improvement after placing third in last year’s 5150 Bohol.

“There are so many strong athletes, but this is a huge improvement from where I was last year,” said Andaya. “It’s more than just about me – this victory is for my teammates.”

Hermosa, competing in his 5150 debut, displayed championship form throughout the race. The Go for Gold mainstay surged ahead in the swim with a time of 17:56 and held on in the bike and run, clocking 1:00:21 and 37:16, respectively, for a total time of 1:56:56.

He finished ahead of 2022 5150 Bohol champion Satar Salem, who placed second in 1:58:57, and Dayshaun Ramos, who rounded out the podium in 2:01:45.

Matthew Hermosa at the 5150 Dapitan Triathlon.–CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

“This was my first time competing in 5150, and I’m proud to have won,” said Hermosa. “My goal has always been to make the Hermosa name known in triathlon, and this is a step toward that.”

Despite battling cramps during the run, Hermosa stayed composed under pressure, particularly from Salem, who trailed closely throughout the race.

“The key was to never give up,” said Hermosa from Cebu. “Satar was right behind me the entire time, which kept me pushing harder.”

READ: Mangrobang dominates Camsur 5150 field

The IRONMAN Group-organized event, held in Dapitan, a city rich in history and known for being the exile site of national hero Dr. Jose Rizal, attracted top athletes and highlighted a blend of heritage and athleticism.

Both Andaya (25-29) and Hermosa (15-19) also won their respective age group categories, with each taking home P65,000.

In the Go for Gold Sunrise Sprint, disputed over the 750m swim, 20km bike, and 5km run distance, Paul Jumamil and Nicole del Rosario took home top honors.

Jumamil clocked 1:01:06, posting times of 8:16 for the swim, 30:54 on the bike, and 20:25 in the run. He edged out Renz Corbin, who finished in 1:02:10, and Johnwayne Ybañez, who placed third at 1:02:24.

Del Rosario rallied during the bike stage to finish first in 1:11:32, with leg times of 9:19, 37:52, and 24:31, respectively. Gene Heart Quiambao, despite a strong swim, couldn’t keep pace in the later stages and finished second in 1:12:47.

Al Fritz Gascon timed 1:14:23 to place third in the event.

In recognition of their accomplishments and spirit, Andaya, Hermosa, Jumamil and Del Rosario were honored with the prestigious Bagong Bayani awards. These awards highlight not only athletic excellence but also values of resilience, perseverance, and national pride – qualities that echo the country’s rich history of heroism.

Reflecting on her Bagong Bayani recognition, Andaya said: “Being called a Bagong Bayani is about showing people that age group triathletes can go beyond limits in this sport.”

Hermosa expressed similar gratitude, adding: “Racing in Dapitan makes you think about our history, especially Rizal’s legacy. I’m grateful for this honor.”