Ibaloy triathlete Dash Ramos topped his group in the 2023 National Age Group Triathlon held in Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority on Jan. 29.
The 16-year-old Ramos won the men’s category of the junior elite division after he clocked in one hour and one second followed by Akio Habana of Cebu at 01:03:00 and Aidanreed Mercado of Laguna at 01:03:51.
The Grade 11 student of Small World Christian School Foundation shared the stage with Kira Ellis who ruled the female junior elite division at 01:05:51.
The event was organized by the Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP).
Ramos, the second child of world-class triathlete coaches Jet and Lou Ann Ramos of the Baguio Benguet Triathlon Team, was the 2018 Batang Pinoy national champion in triathlon.
Battle-tested Filipino-Spanish Fernando Jose Casares dominated the sprint men’s elite category with a time of 57:16 during the competition, which is a Southeast Asian Games qualifying event and national team talent identification race.
The duo of Justin Hermosa and Kim Remolino of Cebu completed the top three in the men’s elite, while Josh Ramos, older brother of Dash, finished fourth.
Another Baguio athlete in Maynard Pecson, who is part of the national team for duathlon, finished 10th.
Not to be outdone was 13-year-old Arrow Ramos, the youngest among siblings, who made his debut race in the super sprint and finished second overall with a time of 35:19.
First placer Darrel Bada clocked 34:55 and Peter Sancho Del Rosario at 35:39.
Other Baguio winners from the Baguio Benguet Triathlon are Daniel Nazaro, first place in 16 to 19; Kisha Tangalin, third place in 16 to 19 female; and Jason Marquez, second place in age group.
The other strong finishers from the team were Chester So, Vic Banal, Richard Aglosolos, Norman Alcayde, Joseph Flores, Azor Tangalin, Dwayne Tamayo, and Athena Gumaya.
The Baguio-Benguet triathlon team was the second largest registered team for the National Age Group triathlon.
The team is preparing for the Ironman 70.3 Davao on March 29. – Ofelia C. Empian
