Nonato, Miranda share 1st Impasug-ong Duathlon honors

Sunday, November 6, 2011

BUKIDNON used to offer the country's best tracks for 4X4 Off-Road Challenge at the Mangima Canyon in Manolo Fortich town.

Now, the landlocked province of Northern Mindanao provides what is now considered as the most exciting trails for Duathlon (off-road run and mountain bike racing) in the quiet municipality of Impasug-ong, then introduced as the "Land Down Under" place by the romantic tagalog flick "Love Me Again" largely shot in Bukidnon and starred by Angel Locsin and Piolo Pascual.

Have something to report? Tell us in text, photos or videos.

No less than the Columbia Sportswear specializing in quality outdoor gears -- which has a local store here in Limketkai Center -- unveiled Impasug-ong as future destination for "iron men and women" in the sporting world after Sunday's successful holding of the 1st Columbia Trail Masters in Mindanao.

In fact, no less than the 26-year-old pair of Dexter Nonato of Davao City and Judelyn Miranda of Claveria, Misamis Oriental -- who emerged overall men's and women's champions -- described the punishing and highly-demanding trails in Impasug-ong as the best in the country today.

"Nindot pagkabuhat (Indeed, a beautiful work of arts) that even the technical trail of running was so difficult the previous duathlon in other places that I competed would just pale in comparison," said Nonato, who works for Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte.

"It's dangerous but super-exciting," gasped Miranda, who was physically challenged by the uphill climb and downhill terrain.

"Quite steep and rocky, it requires one hell of great stamina and endurance for any competitor to survive the race," Miranda told Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro.

Nonato, who just won the 1st Dragon Mountain Bike Challenge in Davao, arrived at the finish line in two hours, 12 minutes and 41 seconds.

Next to him at second and third places are Jefferson Tabacon (2:17:16) and Malaybalay pride Leo Colonia (2:20:58).

Miranda, on the other hand, was hardly challenged in the distaff side with her aggregate time of three hours, 14 minutes and 41 seconds.

Eating her dust at second and third spots are Niecel Espinosa (10:40:19) and Lalaine Patricio (10:44:37).

Each of the top-3 winners in premier men's and women's categories received P8,000, P5,000 and P3,000, along with gift certificates worth P5,000, P3,000 and another P3,000 in that order.

Atop the mountains, majority of around 80 participants from as far as Davao and Cebu who braved the first 10-kilometer run on foot, the 30k mountain bike and another 5K foot race would yell "Nice Best Columbia Trail!" after hurdling one of the most arduous challenges.

"When in fact, if translated in Visayan lingo…it could mean "grabeng kapoya" (so exhausting test of endurance)," joked Madam Julia, the ever-kind wife of Impasug-ong Mayor Mario Okinlay, who made sure that all the participants would safely finish the challenge.

Also promoting tourism, the lung-busting race covered the old spanish Atugan, Petalvero, Kapitan Boyong and Dumalaguing roads.

Runners also passed through the pineapple plantation, the big three Okinlay, Petalvero and Communal ranches, the Hanging Bridge and, of course, the historic Banga (or the mythical jar) where legend of the Japanese golds during war period has been associated to it until now.