Erik Esperanzate and Nicole Andaya emerged victorious at the inaugural 5150 FAB Triathlon in Mariveles, Bataan on Sunday, showcasing superior cycling skills and mastery of the course’s challenging climbs.
Esperanzate, 18, overcame a slow swim with a powerful bike leg, using his knowledge of Bataan’s steep ascents and technical descents to break away. He outkicked James Van Ramoga in the final 10-km run to finish in 2:31:47, with splits of 29:03 (swim), 1:12:47 (bike), and 47:42 (run). Ramoga placed second in 2:32:58, while Finland’s Jamo Makelainen claimed third in 2:41:09.
In the women’s division, Andaya dominated with a commanding bike performance, finishing the race in 2:52:53, including a 1:29:37 bike split. “I really like the bike course because it’s uphill, and pain is part of triathlon,” she said. “But when you reach the top, you see the view of the whole Bataan, which I really enjoy.”
The race, organized by Sunrise Events, Inc. in cooperation with FAB, featured a 1.5-km swim, 40-km bike, and 10-km run, challenging both seasoned veterans and rising stars.
