Mataragnon, Jumamil Rule Cebu City Triathlon

Cebuana Aaliyah Mataragnon made up for her disastrous stint in the Batang Pinoy, and showed she’s back with her A-Game by winning the women’s title in the Cebu City Marathon on Sunday.

Mataragnon, 14, who crashed out while competing in the Batang Pinoy last month, finished the 750-meter swim, 20-kilometer bike and five-kilometer run, in one hour, 18 minutes and nine seconds to win the PHP20,000 cash prize.

She beat the visiting Jacqui Lamparero of Ioilo City by more than a minute, while Cianyl Jamae Gonzalez of the newly formed Rider Omega Pro got third place in 1:23:32. Issa Priagula got fourth place in 1:26:45.

“I got scared when I learned that there are triathletes from outside Cebu competing in the elite division. But it did not get into me because I believed in my training,” said Mataragnon.

Mataragnon trained despite a bum back bothering her.

During the final segment, Mataragnon felt the pain on her back again but ignored it on the egging of her coach.

“I had a great race. I’d like to thank God, my parents, my coaches and teammates for this win,” said Mataragnon, who races for Jumbo Plastic Lenoleum.

In the men’s division, the 23-year-old Paul Jumamil won the title by more than a minute after finishing the race in 1:04:43, beating Kim Remolino (1:05:47) and Jorry Yong (1:05:47). Emmanuel Commendador got fourth place in 1:06:09 and Ralph Eduard So finished at fifth in 1:08:37.

“I feel blessed because I was able to finish and win the race,” said Jumamil.

Jumamil used the race as sort of an experiment on his limits and did not take any energy gels.

“I even had difficulty breathing in the last portion of the run because I did not take any energy gels to test myself,” he said.

Aside from the elite divisions, the race also had the age group divisions.

The winners in the age group were Chobie Duenas and Karen Manayon in the 15 to 19 years old, Alex Noval in the men’s 20 to 24, and Zuzette Jarina-Co in the women’s 35 to 39, Rumolo Rosell and May Ann Mares in the 40 to 44, and Brian Lim and Lalaine Sacris in the 50-Above. Aileen Guardo, Ariel Genobiagon and Ryan Galo also won the relay division. (PNA) LAP/EB/MP/EBP