CamSur bets stamp class in SPEEDO Age Group Triathlon

Triathletes from CamSur turned Sunday’s 2011 SPEEDO National Age Group Triathlon (NAGT) Series into a show of their own, as three of their bets went on to win age group titles held at the Dungaree Beach, Subic Bay Freeport. Seven CamSur triathletes showed up to complete the 237 participants in the inaugural race of the NAGT organized by the Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP) and hosted by Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SMBA). Three of Camsur’s bets — Benjamin Rana Jr., Mark Anthony Hosana and Philip Atento — bagged the titles in the men’s 20-24, 17-19 and 30-34 brackets. The 25-year-old Rana emerged as the best performer as he won line honors in the 1.5-K swim, 40-K bike and 10-K distance race in two hours, 17 minutes and 45 seconds. “I was not really expecting a victory because there are seasoned triathletes competing," said Rana, who atoned for his slow performance in the swim (26:36) by submitting the best time in the bike (1:08:30) and run (42:39). Former SEA Games gold medalist and ex-Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Eric Buhain gave Rana a big scare, however. The multi-titled swimmer came in second in the swim, but was first to arrive at the transition area after the bike leg with Rana at a close second. Rana, however, burst into speed immediately as he took the lead after only the first 200 meters and never looked back. Nineteen-year-old Hosana and the 31-year old Atento came in second and third overall with 2:20:57 and 2:21:19, respectively, to complete the impressive showing of Team CamSur. Buhain, who went jogging in the run leg, finished with 2:39:54 to settle for fifth spot in the 40-44 age group. Joyette Jopson emerged as the fastest in the female class as she completed the race in two hours, 41 minutes and 12 seconds. The 31-year-old Hopson also made her move in the bike leg to gain ground against early leader Hazel Benipayo before unleashing her might in the run leg to also emerge champion in the female 30 to 34 age class. - KY, RCJ, GMA News