Fantilaga, Jopson tops Xterra Rave Run

Carlito Fantilaga and Joyette Jopson proved to have greater endurance and steadier legs as they topped the 22K men's and women's divisions, respectively, in the recent Vaseline Men XTERRA Pang Rave Run, the organizers said in a press statement recently.

Held at Timberland Heights in San Mateo, Rizal, the first leg of the Vaseline Men XTERRA Off-Road Triathlon Series attracted more than 500 participants, who all enjoyed challenging 22K, 10K and 5K races that offered stunning views.

Fantilaga finished the race in 1:40:56 and was followed by William Robinson with a time of 2:10:25 and Felix Abuel with a time of 2:12:15.  In the women's division, Jopson (2:28:55)  was trailed by Olive Cortez with a time of 2:33:01 with Pen Nepomuceno rounding out the top 3 with a time of 2:37:48.



In the 10K men's division, Canadian Matt O' Halloran bested everyone with a time of 43:32.  Trailing him was San Mateo National High School athletics varsity member Angelo Pinca who clocked in at 49:53.  Jun Coral's 51:46 mark was good for third place.

In the women's division, running veteran Katrina Dolfo topped the race by finishing it in 1:15:06.  She was trailed by journalist Lara Parpan who clocked in at 1:18:09.  Dharmalyn Dahum rounded out the podium finishers with a time of 1:20:21.

In the 5K men's division, Noel Ricamunda, Romart Belo and Orlando Isip, Jr., copped the first, second and third spots, respectively, while Corazon Salcedo (36:10), Erika Joy Natividad (40:21) and Anna Jemimah Puyo (40:52) were the podium finishers.

The next leg of the Vaseline Men XTERRA Off-Road Triathlon Series happens in Liloan, Cebu on March 17 via a trail run featuring 21, 10 and 5 kilometer categories.

Top age group finishers for the 21K trail run will qualify for the world championships for the XTERRA Trail Run slated in Hawaii this year.

Also in Cebu, two triathlon events will happen on March 18 with the XTERRA Lite and the XTERRA Philippines Championship.

XTERRA Lite involves a 500-meter swim, 30-kilometer bike and a 5-kilometer run while the XTERRA Philippines Championship involves a 1.5-kilometer swim, 30-kilometer bike and a 10-kilometer run.

Apart from winning exciting cash prizes (total pro prize money is US$15,000), the top age group finishers will vie for 40 slots to the XTERRA World Championships in Maui, Hawaii.

The Vaseline Men XTERRA Off-Road Triathlon Series is sponsored by Alaska, Timex, Gatorade, Summit Water, David's Salon, LBC, AirPhil Express, Prudential Guarantee, 2XU, Dusit Thani Manila, The Philippine Star, Multisport, SBR, Studio 23, Timberland Heights in San Mateo, Rizal, Amara, Porter Marina, and Papa Kit's in Liloan Cebu.