To build up their endurance and stamina, members of the Baguio-Benguet triathlon team continue to conduct monthly races within a bubble.
Team captain Jet Ramos said they have been continuing their training despite the hard times brought about by the pandemic while strictly observing safety protocols.
“Our team, which consists of 36 athletes, trains in a bubble, where we only train and race each other within our bubble to keep ourselves and our family safe from the virus,” Ramos said.
The team started the training in Baguio last March with a race consisting of an 800-meter swim then a five-kilometer bike ride going up the Bakakeng Road. The athletes then proceeded to Athletic Bowl where they transitioned to a four-km. foot race going to Panagbenga Park rotunda and back to the Athletic Bowl for the finish.
Leading the race with the fastest time for the course was 19-year-old national team junior elite member Josh Ramos with a time of 31 minutes and 26 seconds followed by his younger brother, Dash, with a time of 32.05 minutes.
On third place is upcoming elite athlete Maynard Pecson with a time of 32.11 minutes.
Pecson, who is currently the top cyclist in Baguio, is one of those hoping to be enlisted in the duathlon national team. He is training under level 1 triathlon coach Lou Ann Ramos.
On the distaff side, high school top runner Erica Bulatao took first place followed by Aea Liporada and upcoming triathlete Kisha Tangalin.
For the age group category, Jessie Magat took first place followed by Stanley Ng and Marvin Chan, who were first timers.
“We encourage the youth to value the time they have and invest in physical and mental health,” Ramos said. – Ofelia C. Empian
