Dizon, ‘Pacman’ top age group

Nap Dizon, middle, topped the 45-49 age group of the road bike division of the 3rd Annual Race for a Cause Bike Race last Sunday in Marpi. Also in photo is third place Elmer Esdrelon, left, and second place Harold Balana. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

Veteran riders Nap Dizon and Rio “Pacman” Jacob lead the age group winners of the 3rd Annual Race for a Cause Bike Race last Sunday in Marpi.

The 47-year-old Dizon won the 45-49 age group in the road bike division after completing the long course route from the former Mariana Resort & Spa to Banzai Cliff, La Fiesta Mall, Bird Island, Suicide Cliff, and back in a time of 51:54.

He was followed by Harold Balana in 52:10 and Elmer Esdrelon in 59:19.

Dizon dedicated his age group triumph to organizers of the Race for a Cause Bike Race, namely Wilfredo Barbo.

“I’m happy to be a part of this good cause as proceeds from this event will go to those in need. What little help we give hopefully will make a difference in their lives,” Dizon said in Filipino.

Lo Manalo, meanwhile, reigned supreme in the below 40 division after crossing the finish line in 54:27. Second place went to Roy Hernandez in 1:00:28.

In the 40-44 division, Jay-Ar Barrios again led the pack with a time of 52:55. He was pursued by Rod Gonzales who finished in 54:58.

Leo Baetiong ruled the 50-54 age group after cycling to Banzai Cliff in 54:10, followed by Bob Ferrer and Ricky Suba in 54:52 and 55:10, respectively.

In the 55-59 division, Noel Altamirano was the man to beat after clocking in at 58:13. He was pursued by Romeo Ampit in 59:55 and Bernard Laborce in 1:00:03.

Pax Guevarra also proved that age is just a number after finishing numero uno in the 60-and-above category with a time of 58:58. Edgar Abalos was second in 1:00:53, while Ponce Corotan was third in 1:01:07.

Rio “Pacman” Jacob, middle, topped the 45-49 age group of the mountain bike division of the 3rd Annual Race for a Cause Bike Race last Sunday in Marpi.Also in photo is third place Manny Basa, left, and second place Rosalio Quinto. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

Jacob, who has uncanny resemblance to eight division-boxing champion Manny Pacquiao, topped the 45-49 division in the mountain bike division with a time of 59:51.

Rosalio Quinto was second in 1:05:56 with Manny Basa taking third in 1:09:56.

Matt Buenabajo, Angeles Alvarez, and Florencio Antonio were the lone participants in their age groups and automatically won their divisions.

Buenabajo topped the 50-54 in 1:08:48; Alvarez the 55-59 in 1:05:58; and Antonio the 60-and-above in 1:12:25.

In the mountain bike short course race, Erwin Calage was without peer after finishing in 24:17. John John Hugo was second in 27:07, while Renato Gaviola closed out the Top 3 in 29:55.

Ruel Nava, meanwhile, won a two-horse race in the road bike short course after registering a time of 22:25. He beat Joel Ejercito’s time of 26:29.

The short course encompassed the route from the former Mariana Resort to La Fiesta, to the “Triangle,” and back.

Coordinator Willy Barbo said a total of 50 bikers took part in this year’s Race for a Cause Bike Race. He thanked everyone for contributing to a good cause, saying that part of the proceeds from the event will go to a diabetic patient undergoing dialysis three times a week at the Commonwealth Health Center. He added that elderly in the Philippines will also get a grocery package from him.