Burgos, Ramos rule Elite in 5150 Bohol

PANGLAO, Bohol — Erika Burgos and Dayshaun Ramos reaffirmed their status among the country’s leading Olympic-distance triathletes by winning the Filipino Elite titles, while Ines Santiago and Mervin Santiago emerged as the overall champions in the 10th Sun Life 5150 Bohol Triathlon on Sunday.

Burgos followed her victory in the inaugural 5150 Guimaras with another commanding performance, completing the 1.5-kilometer swim, 40-kilometer bike ride, and 10-kilometer run in 2 hours, 28 minutes, and 33 seconds. Ramos, meanwhile, unleashed a strong finishing run to hold off older brother Joshua Ramos and capture the men’s Elite crown in 2:09:58.

Joshua settled for second in 2:12:45, while Earl James Ting placed third in 2:17:42 and Sebastian Cabusas finished fourth in 2:23:59.

While the Elite champions delivered as expected, Ines Santiago claimed the women’s overall title in 2:33:58 and also topped the 45-49 age group. A three-time Reyna Bulakna Award recipient as the fastest Filipina at the Kona Ironman World Championships, Santiago finished ahead of Nicole Andaya, who clocked 2:35:35, and Natasha Doromal-Lim, who posted 2:40:45.

Mervin Santiago, who is not related to Ines, prevailed in a dramatic finish to secure the men’s overall championship in 2:14:27. He edged Jeffrey Tagalog, identified in the results as Paguray, by seven seconds after Tagalog crossed the line in 2:14:34, while Kristiane Lim placed third in 2:16:50.

Despite her convincing victory, Burgos said the race was far more demanding than the result suggested. Competitors encountered calm water during the swim, but scorching temperatures punished the field during the run, while a loose timing chip repeatedly forced the national team standout from Tanauan, Batangas, to stop and readjust it.

“I’m happy with my performance even though I’m in my offseason,” said the national team standout from Tanauan, Batangas in Filipino. “I’ve only been doing maintenance training, so I’m satisfied that I was still able to race well.”

Burgos said the run became the most difficult portion of the course as temperatures rose sharply, especially after several days of rain had led her to expect cooler conditions.

“It suddenly became very hot. I was actually expecting rain because it had been raining for several days before the race,” she said. “My timing chip also kept rotating, so I had to stop several times to fix it. But overall, I’m satisfied with the result, especially considering the kind of preparation I had.”

An Ironman All-World Athlete and one of the country’s premier age-group triathletes, Ines Santiago relied on experience, patience, and composure to outlast a strong local and international field representing at least 23 countries. Her victory in the milestone staging further strengthened her standing among the Philippines’ elite age-group competitors.

Mervin Santiago, an IRONMAN World Championship veteran and one of the country’s most accomplished endurance athletes, also leaned on his experience and resilience to secure the men’s overall crown. After emerging as the top Filipino finisher at last year’s IRONMAN 70.3 Cebu, he returned in formidable form and maintained his composure throughout the race.

Dayshaun Ramos described the Bohol course as one of the toughest he has raced, saying he finished about nine minutes slower than his usual standard-distance time. He battled overheating during the swim and strong crosswinds and headwinds on the bike, with the accumulated fatigue making the run especially difficult and forcing him to adjust throughout the race.

Ramos credited his family for keeping him motivated and described the opportunity to train, travel, and compete with them, particularly his brother, as a privilege. “It’s just a blessing,” he said, adding that the enthusiastic Bohol crowd gave him an extra lift. “Having people around you cheering you is definitely a lot different from the daily racing that we do.”

Organized by Sunrise Events Inc., the four-leg 5150 Triathlon Islands of the Philippine Series will conclude Sept. 20 in Samal Island, Davao City. Supported by the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority, the event forms part of a national sports tourism initiative aimed at positioning the Philippines as a premier global destination for endurance sports.

The Philippine Sports Commission has noted that staging international races in scenic locations can elevate the country’s sporting profile while generating tourism activity and economic opportunities for host communities.

In the men’s age-group competition, Kent Nocete won the 16-17 division in 2:27:17, Ramoga topped the 18-24 category in 2:16:52, Fidel Redillas ruled the 25-29 division in 2:17:23, and John Rey Tumanda prevailed in the 35-39 category in 2:21:29. Lim won the 40-44 division in 2:16:50, while Singapore’s Haythem El-Ansary topped the 45-49 category in 2:30:57.

Ricarte Dayata claimed the men’s 50-54 title in 2:41:47, while Singapore’s Tim Johannessen won the 55-59 division in 2:37:19. Robert Shannon finished first in the 60-64 category in 2:55:36, Duncan Cooper topped the 65-69 division in 3:02:16, and Nick Cudmore won the 70-74 category in 3:05:37.

In the women’s age groups, Jasmine Yap won the 18-24 division in 3:12:58, Bianca Tan ruled the 25-29 category in 2:46:20, and Andaya topped the 30-34 division with her 2:35:35 finish. Kriska Sto. Domingo won the 35-39 category in 2:45:30, while Ana Isabel Locsin claimed the 40-44 title in 2:48:00.

Catherine Arias prevailed in the women’s 50-54 division in 2:48:40, Yvonne Mendoza topped the 55-59 category in 3:25:41, and Jo Cudmore won the 60-64 division in 4:00:28.