Echauz, fighting sisters wow ’em

MAGALI Echauz turned in one of her best showings and the returning Balatibat sisters also landed on the podium of the Tri-United Series yesterday at Narra Park in Ayala Alabang Village in Muntinlupa.

Sustaining her dominant run this year, Echauz completed the 300m swim-7.6K bike-1.7K run sprint distance in 30 minutes and one second to bag the gold in the 13-15 girls’ age group.

The fighting Balatibat sisters also came out strong in the 900m swim-30K bike-7K race with Emilaine ruling the 18-22 age group in 2:10:01 and Jayline prevailing in the 25-29 category in 2:14:07. Eldest sister Ann Maris had a runner-up finish in the 30-34 group in 2:13.

Echauz, the promising 15-year-old who finished first in almost all her races this year, timed at least four minutes clear of runners-up Isabella Kapunan (34:36) and Hannah Angelika De Guzman (36:49).

“I lost track of how many tournaments I’ve competed in and won, but this is one of my best performances this year,” said the 15-year-old Echauz.

A total of 520 racers saw action in the third leg where August Benedicto (1:20:17), George Vilog (1:22:05) and Kevin Eijansantos (1:22:23) also emerged as the top three finishers in the men’s elite.

Kim Mangrobang topped the ladies elite in 1:48:15.

The Balatibats, meanwhile, hope to make the most out of their comeback in the races.

“We decided to take a break last year to concentrate on other things,” said the 28-year-old Jayline, who also picked up a gold in the first leg of the series and a silver in the next.

Other winners in the men’s sprint age groups were Julius Alfred Constantino (13-15), Marc Oliver Vargas (16-above), Mervin Santiago (18-24), Don Velasco (25-29), Andy Leuterio (30-34), Hiroshi Takei (40-44), Abelardo Alon Alon (45-49) and Rune Stroem (50-54).

Bea Hufana (16-above), Hazel Benipayo (30-34), Bic Ferreria (35-39), Natasha Davis (40-44) and Celma Hitalia (45-above) reigned in the women’s side, while Team Wetshop ruled the team relay (1:49:51). Jasmine W. Payo