Kim & Edward show in Camsur
IN-FORM Kim Mangrobang and comebacking Edward Macalalad showcased their determination in the bike and run legs to emerge overall champions of the 5150 Camsur in Camarines Sur on Sunday.
Mangrobang took control during the bike event after placing second to Erika Burgos in the swim stage then sustained her pace in the run to cruise to victory in two hours, 22 minutes and 35 seconds over the Olympic-distance course of 1.5-km swim, 40-km bike and 10-km run race that marked the triathlon’s return to its original race destination.
Mangrobang, racing out of Santa Rosa City, drew inspiration from the nostalgic atmosphere and enthusiastic crowd.
“I’m so happy to race here again in Camsur, I did the 70.3 last 2011 and I think I was the youngest at that time,” said the 32-yearold Mangrobang, who turned in leg times of 1:18 (swim), 1:12:02 (bike) and 45:27 (run) to claim the women’s crown.
“The crowd, the people, they’re the same as before, very enthusiastic,” she added.
Winner of the inaugural 5150 Dapitan last September, Mangrobang attributed her excellent form to consistent training with the national team.
“As part of the national team, we train the whole year and this is just one of the training races lined up for us,” she said. Burgos set the pace in the swim but faced challenges in the bike segment before mounting a comeback in the run, securing second place in 2:26:33, while Bea Quiambao placed third with a 2:29:28 clocking. France’s Amandine Fetaud and Anne Nuñez took the next two spots in 2:41:47 and 2:44.32, respectively.