Buco, Spaeth, Gacayan top Pedal for Health

Veteran cyclist Joel Buco, national triathlete Robyn Spaeth, and newcomer Rolando Gacayan won their respective men’s and women’s road and mountain bike divisions of last Sunday’s Saipan Unity Lions Club 7th Annual Pedal For Health Bike Race held in Marpi.

Buco topped the road race—from Banzai Cliff to the Mobil Oil gas station in Tanapag, to the Million-Gallon Water Tank to Suicide Cliff and Bird Island before returing to Banzai Cliff—in 1:16:16.

Coming in second was RenRen Gaviola with a time of 1:17:03, while Nap Dizon completed the Top 3 in 1:21:40.

The 50-year-old Buco said the road race was especially difficult because he went up against younger cyclists and the course had a lot of uphill climbs.

He said he’s just lucky that he stirred away from vices like alcohol and cigarettes, allowing him to be in tiptop shape to again win the 33-kilometer race. He also won last year’s race.

The Yuman Construction employee dedicated his triumph to his family and friends on Saipan, adding that the Pedal for Health event is a worthwhile endeavor considering that it embraces the importance of physical fitness, all thanks to organizer SULC.

Spaeth, for her part, dominated the women’s road race division after completing the race in 1:25:55. Nearly six minutes behind was Jay Anne Felipe in 1:31:07, while Shawna Brenfleck was third in 1:32:17.

“It was a great race and I would like to thank the Lions Club for putting on another successful bike race. I haven’t been able to get out on my bike as much as I would’ve liked to have so it definitely challenged my endurance and strength. Nonetheless, I really enjoyed the race. As always, I really appreciate our biking community here on Saipan. Everyone is so supportive and encouraging,” said Spaeth.

The 40-year-old Marianas High School teacher jokingly said the best part of the race was “going downhill and finishing it!”

Seriously though, Spaeth said she just enjoyed her time “riding with friends and pushing each other to try our best.”

In the mountain bike long course, Gacayan beat out Mike Aparte and Hernan Cristobal by crossing the finish line in 1:25:48. Aparte and Cristobal submitted times of 1:27:31 and 1:30:11, respectively. 

The 38-year-old Townhouse Furniture staff said the hardest part of the course was when he and Aparte broke away from the peloton at the start of the race.

“We had to exert all our energy to leave the main peloton,” he said in Filipino, while adding that the best part of the course for him was when he separated himself from Aparte on the ride up to Suicide Cliff.

Gacayan dedicated his win to his parents and fallen rider Ariel Abadilla, who died of an apparent heart attack last March. 

The Top 3 in the road and mountain bike categories won cash prizes of $75, $50, and $30, plus handsome medals.

SULC Marketing and Communication chair Angel Lastimado said last Sunday’s race had more than 70 bikers.

Proceeds from the 7th Annual Pedal For Health Bike Race will be used for SULC services, specifically LCI Global Causes and various projects.

SULC president Lindie Mae Moleno, chair Willy Barbo, and co-chair Argie Buensalido expressed their heartfelt appreciation to all the bikers who support the Pedal For Health race throughout the years.

They said the event would not have been possible without the support of sponsors, namely Tan Sui Lim Foundation, Aga Enterprises, Inc. , Armatech, Express, Global Security Agency, Hofschneider Engineering Corp., Hong Electric Enterprises,Inc., Jeyd Laundry, KL Carr Enterprises, Macro Accounting Services, MB Tech, North Pac Corp., Pacific Hardware, Tom Yum Restaurant, Top Shelf Cannabis, UNI Professional, Wushin LPG Gas, Sapphire Ent., Alpex Wholesale, Cellular Pro, Coca-Cola Beverage Co, Inc., first lady Wella Palacios, Herman’s Modern Bakery, Marianas Deals, Marpac, Pacific Health, Inc., Puerto Rico Bento, Office of Rep. Roy Ada, Office of Sen. Paul Manglona, Supertech, Inc., Success International Corp., The Water Company, Tony Camacho, Transamerica, Victory Enterprises, and all SULC members.