CamSur athletes dominate national age group triathlon

Capture 3 top overall places

PILI, CamSur – A small, unassuming seven-man CamSur Tri Team dazzled spectators and a field of some 230 opponents alike by capturing the top three overall places and virtually dominating the Speedo National Age Group Triathlon held Sunday, February 20 at Dungaree Beach in Subic.

The CamSur Tri Team won first place in four age divisions and three second places of the inaugural staging of the age group triathlon organized by the Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP) and hosted by the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority.

25-year old Benjamin Raña who ruled the 25 to 29 years group emerged the competition’s best performer with overall time of 2 hours, 17 minutes and 45 seconds after coming in second to the legendary Eric Buhain in the swim segment but leading the entire field with spectacular performances in the bike and distance runs.

Raña was as astonished as the protagonists and spectators with his victory.  “I never really expected to win competing with such seasoned athletes,” the burgeoning homegrown multi-sport athlete beamed at the finish line.

Second best overall time was garnered by team mates Mark Anthony Hosana and third by Philip Atento were also the first places in the 17-19 years and 30-34, respectively.  Billy Biag bagged the first place in 20-24.

Equally impressive were the creditable finishes of other team members Antonio Salamanque (17-19), Cris Dimaano (20-24) and Rafael Vargas (25-29), all second placers in their respective categories. All in all, a CamSur triathlete among best performers in all categories the team joined.

It is reported that some joking went around after the triathlon that if the CamSur Tri Team can field a big enough team, it could possibly sweep the top prizes in all age groups. The triathlon was open to athletes up to age 60.

CamSur Tri Team’s very impressive finish at the national age group meet was indeed a big surprise, being a relatively very young team having been organized by Governor Villafuerte only just after the very first Ironman 70.3 Philippines held in the CamSur Watersports Complex (CWC) in August 2009.

The team is expected to see more formidable contest against the best triathletes the world over in the upcoming Ironman 70.3 Philippines on August 14, the biggest international multi-sport competition in Asia slated for the third successive year at the CWC. GBClaveria/MMEC

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