CHRISTOPHER "Tophe" Eyao of Tri S.O.S. Caltex Havoline proved that age doesn't matter as he lorded over his rivals in the just-concluded Sarbay Triathlon 2018 held in Saranggani Province.
Eyao, 43, who hails from Davao City, checked in at one hour, 16 minutes and four seconds to emerge as the overall champion against 50 triathletes from Mindanao.
The champion triathlete topped the men's 40-49 age group over Marjun Balaite (1:24.50), and Greg Alexis Maiz (12:24.50) who finished at the second and third spot respectively.
"I swam out from the waters at the seventh spot but I was able to catch up during the bike and run race which is my strength," Eyao, in a Facebook chat with Sun.Star Davao, said.
He added that his preparation period was short as he was in the midst of recovery from joining the Alveo Ironman 2018 and the Boulder Face Challenge 2018.
"I never planned to join this race but the organizers insist that I do. So, I maximized the one week left for training," he said.
Eyao’s initial goal was to win his age group and finish the race.
"But when I started to lead in the run, I thought of winning the overall champion," he added.