Catiil, Araullo-Gonzales rule TriKing long distance race

Neil Catiil and Sandra Araullo-Gonzales topped the men’s and women’s divisions of the 1st TriKing Long Distance Triathlon Sunday at the Matabungkay Beach Resort and Hotel in Lian, Batangas. Catiil made his move in the uphill part of the cycling phase to relegate defending Philippine Half Ironman champion Celnan Jopson to second place in the 2k swim, 60k bike and 15k run race organized by Bike King in cooperation with Triathlon Association of the Philippines. Catiil negotiated the grueling race in three hours, 18 minutes and 51 seconds, and reached the finish line all by his lonesome. He ended up almost 10 minutes ahead of Jopson, the former Asian Junior triathlon king. “The route proved to be favorable for me because the first five kilometers was an uphill climb where I have the advantage. But I’m still struggling because this is my first race since December last year. I barely prepared for this event because of the weather condition in Cagayan de Oro," said Catiil. Although settling fort runner-up honors, Jopson had nothing but praises for Catiil. “He really is the future of Philippine triathlon," said Jopson. Finishing at third spot was duathlete August Benedicto, who clocked in at 3:29:04. Araullo-Gonzales, meantime, used the race to reacquaint herself in races, saying that a two-year layoff made her to commit several mistakes “It was two years ago that I last competed. I was nervous and committed several mistakes. Still, this is a good experience as I can prepare myself better in future long distance events," said Araullo-Gonzales, who finished with a 3:56:12 clocking. Rhodora Ellis submitted a time of 3:59:37 for second place while Joyette Jopson salvaged third-place honors with 4:08:32. In the team competition, the Philippine Triathlon Team composed of Epoy Jurolan, Mirasol Abad and John Leerams Chicano emerged as the champion after outlasting Globe my Super Plan and Globe Super Duo squads. - RCJ/Perry Legaspi, GMANews.TV