Regan, Santiago reign in Aboitiz Triathlon 2017
Ben Regan of Team Fitness First and Ines Santiago of WU CREW ruled the Aboitiz TRI2017 Saturday afternoon around Pico de Loro Beach and Country Club at Hamilo Coast in Nasugbu, Batangas.
Regan proved up to par on course of the popular Aboitiz TRI2017 – a 1.5-km swim off Hamilo Coast, a challenging yet enjoyable 40-km bike in and around Pico de Loro Beach and Country Club, and a friendly 10km run through the resort.
He clocked two hours, 14 minutes, 16 seconds to claim the men’s 30-34 title, beating 25-29 champion Mervin Santiago of Sante Barley (2:17:59) and 30-34 runner-up Benji Zapanta (second in 30-34) of One Triathlon Team (2:21:07).
This is the second time Regan registered the fastest time of the annual event.
On the distaff side, Ines Santiago clocked 2:39:22 to emerge 35-39 champion. The other winners were 30-34 champion Katelyn Kearney of Fitness First (2:49:21) and 25-29 titlist Kriska Sto. Domingo (2:53:07).
“I did not expect to win. In this race, Mervin (Santiago) and I had a small rivalry as he defeated me in two local races recently. For this race, I made sure I was ahead of him,” Regan said.
“In the swim phase, the water felt choppy while the short rain made biking on the roads very tough so I had to be careful about speeding. In the run phase, I felt tired and the hill climb was also tough. I just endured and watched the distance between me and Mervin while I was leading. Overall it was a fulfilling experience and I look forward to next year’s event. ”
In the relay competition, AboitizLand Team D was the allfemale relay champion in 2:48:17. UnionBank F took the all-male relay title (2:35:53). The mixed relay team title went to AboitizPower 1 (2:21:48).
Other champions were Fitness First (team competition), Andrea Villanueva and Neil Aynera (1824), Jethro Karl Ramos (35-39), Bic Ferreira and Roman Menz (40-44), Evangeline Endaya and Simon Mortimer (45-49), Maria Carmina Ilagan (Female 50-above), John Villanueva (50-54), Eduardo Francisco (55-59) and Alfredo Santos (60-above).
AEV chief human resources officer Txabi Aboitiz said Aboitiz TRI2017 was an inspiring display of sportsmanship, endurance, and discipline to triathlon and a motivation to commit to living an active lifestyle.
“By supporting Aboitiz Tri, all of you are helping us highlight the important principles of active, healthy, and sustainable living,” Aboitiz said. “We will continue to be involved in more of these activities as we bring to life our inspired Group Purpose of ‘driving change for a better world’ by advancing business and communities,” he added.
Some 65 members of AEV community participated in the triathlon.
He reiterated the corporation’s support for sports through its annual Friendship Games, the Aboitiz Invitational Tournament, and the long-running Aboitiz Football Cup in Cebu.
Since it was inaugurated in 2014, the Aboitiz TRI franchise has been promoting the Aboitiz Group’s sustainability mindset and wellness program.
TRI2017 is presented by Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Inc. (AEV) with the support of Aboitiz business units [BUs] AboitizPower, UnionBank, AboitizLand, WeatherPhilippines.
Other sponsors are Pico de Loro Beach and Country Club, Hamilo Coast, Neutrogena, Timex, ProHealth Sports and Spinal, Pico de Loro, Nuun, Standard Insurance, Hoka One One, Orbea, GU, and media partners The Philippine STAR, RaceDay Triathlon and Endurance Sports.