Monday, April 29, 2019

Aussie, Kiwi dominate Sun Life 5150 triathlon

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 on Sunday.

Better, 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.

SEI general manager Princess Galura also thanked the City of Naga as well as the Province of Cebu for hosting the Olympic and the Sprint triathlon events.

She said the 5150 and Sprint triathlons served as perfect venues for those trying the sport for the first time and those who have been absent from the sport awhile and who wish to compete again. The field also included graduates of the Alaska IronKids races who want to continue to compete in the sport.

Sun Life Financial Philippines said they partnered with Sunrise Events and the city to promote a healthy lifestyle through fun activities as well as help people achieve lifetime financial security. Sun Life Financial in the Philippines offers a wide range of services that include Life Insurance, Accidental Insurance, Pension Plans, Education Plans and Mutual Funds.

https://www.manilatimes.net/aussie-kiwi-dominate-sun-life-5150-triathlon/546620/

Kiwi sizzles in Sun Life triathlon

New Zealand’s Amelia Watkinson put on a superb showing that even merited a spot in the men’s side in one stretch and went on to dominate her side in the inaugural Sun Life 5150 triathlon in Naga City, Cebu yesterday.

So impressive was the veteran Watkinson that saw her run at third overall behind Sam Betten and Alex Polizzi after the bike ride before coasting to victory in the women’s pro division in 2:06.44 in the 1.5K swim-40K bike-10K run race put up by Sun Life and organized by Sunrise Events Inc.

Hungary’s Anna Eberhardt came in second (2:14.51) while recent 5150 Subic winner Manami Iijima of Guam lost steam in the last two stages after grabbing the lead in the swim leg. She wound up third in 2:16.16.

Betten, who has ruled a number of 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, banking on a strong bike ride to post a 1:59.32 clocking.

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.


Barely edging Polizzi, 19:51-19:53, in the opening swim event, Betten poured it all in the bike, clocking 57:46 as against the former’s 1:00:30 before holding sway in the closing run in 38:40 against Polizzi’s 39:37.

Gian Taylor also took the spotlight in topping the the Go For Gold Sunrise Sprint.

https://www.philstar.com/sports/2019/04/29/1913510/kiwi-sizzles-sun-life-triathlon

Betten, Watkinson earn 5150 titles

AUSSIE Sam Betten and Kiwi Amelia Watkinson shared the spotlight after winning the men’s and women’s pro titles in the Sun Life 5150 Triathlon in City of Naga, Cebu on Sunday, April 28.

The towering 6-foot-4 Betten lived up to his lofty billing as one of the top athletes in an Olympic-distance race after clocking 1 hour, 59 minutes and 32 seconds in the first 5150 race in Cebu.

Betten, a multiple standard distance champion, finished the 1.5-kilometer swim portion in 19:51 to hold a slim lead going to the first transition. Betten completed the 40K bike segment in 57:46 to break away from the pack and timed 38:39 in the run part to put the title in the bag.

“I pushed a little harder during the bike race to build a little gap because (Alexander) Polizzi was trailing close behind,” said Betten, adding that the crowd support infused energy to them. “It was a great race. The swim was beautiful and also the bike course. On top of that is the great support from the crowd. That’s why I always keep coming back to the Philippines.”

Polizzi crossed the finish line at 2:03:55 for second place followed by fellow Aussies Mitch Robins and Daniel Brown in 2:05:34 and 2:27:12, respectively.

Amelia Watkinson of New Zealand registered a total time of 2:06:44 to snag the women’s crown over Anna Eberhardt of Hungary (2:14:51) and Manami Iijima of Guam (2:16:16).

“It was a nice experience. It was hotter than I expected and it was a good reminder of the extra humidity around here. I think I like (the heat), but it’s definitely tough,” said the 27-year-old Kiwi.

Watkinson definitely bucked the summer heat with a strong start in the swim and bike parts, where she timed 20:49 and 1:02:18 before capping off the race with a 39:53 time in the run part.

The Asian elite competition, on the other hand, saw a duel between Cebu City Rider Omega Triathlon Team teammates Jorry Ycong and Banjo Norte.

Ycong of Negros Oriental eventually won in 2:12:15, more than one minute ahead of the Cagayan de Oro City’s native Norte.

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1803199