Australian Sam Betten repulsed Alex Polizzi while Amelia Watkinson from New Zealand stamped her class in women’s side as they ruled their respective divisions in the inaugural Sun Life 5150 triathlon in Naga City, Cebu yesterday.
Betten, who has ruled a number 5150 races in the country before yielding to compatriot Mitch Robins in Subic last year, pulled away from a tight battle with Polizzi after the opening swim leg, leaning on a strong bike ride to post a 1:59.32 clocking in the 1.5K swim-40K bike-10K run race put up by Sun Life and organized by Sunrise Events, Inc.
Polizzi clocked 2:03.55 for second while Robins struggled in the bike part and wound up third in 2:05.34 with Dan Brown finishing fourth in 2:27.21 in the men’s pro division of the event also held to promote a healthy lifestyle among the Filipinos.
Watkinson, meanwhile, put on a strong showing that saw her run at third overall behind Betten and Polizzi after the bike ride.
She went on to submit a 2:06.44 clocking, way ahead of Hungary’s Anna Eberhardt (2:14.51) while recent 5150 Subic winner Manami Iijima of Guam lost steam in the last two stages after a lead-grabbing stint in the swim leg. She wound up with 2:16.16.
Sharing the spotlight were Gian Taylor, who topped the Go For Gold (Sunrise Sprint, who edged Renzo Pahaganas and Jericho Auguis in the 12-17 age category. Other winners were: male 18-24, Denver Dayonot and King Charles Espanol; male 25-29, Dandy Maturan; Male 30-34, Dennis Rey Rentillosa, Sherwin Dichos; male 35-39, Jayran Manlangit, Pimco Pimentel, Dickson Yu; male 40-44, Julius Hibrada, Roldan Calda and Hendry Fritz Co; and male 45-49, Romulo Rosell, Alan Choachuy.
Other winners were King Charles Espanol (male 25-29); Dandy Maturan (male 30-34); Dennis Rey Rentillosa, Sherwin Dichos; Male 35-39, Jayran Manlangit, Pimco Pimentel, Dickson Yu; Male 40-44, Julius Hibrada, Roldan Calda and Hendry Fritz Co; and Male 45-49, Romulo Rosell, Alan Choachuy.
Meanwhile, Mayor Kristine Chiong took pride in helping ensure the successful staging of the event, which boosted the host city’s tourism industry and brought the city’s inhabitants together.
