Bruins, Gilbuena top 2017 Powerman Philippines Asian Championships

By Wires October 10, 2017

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Australia-based Dutch Thomas Bruins once again ruled the Powerman series in Southeast Asia as he dominated the field in the classic category of the Powerman Philippines Asian Championships in Clark Freeport, Pampanga Philippines.

The Philippines’ Miscelle Gilbuena held off Australia’s Alexandra McDougall to win the female elite category. Gilbuena finished in 3:39:44, a minute and 10 seconds ahead off the Aussie elite.

In the first 10k run, Bruins and Aussie Matt Smith went toe to toe with local elites John Chicano and Emmanuel Commendador. They all went into transition with only a 2 second gap among them. Bruins though had quick transition and went into the bike course first and never looked back. Exhibiting superior biking power, Bruins would register the day’s best bike split of 1:40:31, 5 minutes and 48 seconds than the second best split, by Smith who clocked 1:46:19.

Bruins would also stamp the day’s best finishing 10k run of 40:01. In his win, Bruins timed 2:57:28, ten minutes and 18 seconds ahead of 2nd placer Smith. Filipino Commendador finished 3rd (3:09:20) to complete podium.

In contrast to the men’s race, Gilbuena had to dig deep the 2nd 10k run to pull off the close win over McDougall. Gaining an upperhand in the first 10k by building a 1 minute and 2 second gap over McDougall, the lead would melt away when the Aussie powered her way to the best bike split among the women. McDougall clocked 2:04:23 in the 60km course, 3 minutes and 13 seconds better than Gilbuena.

Trailing going out in the finishing 10k run, Gilbuena had the quicker transition and also timed the women’s best 2nd 10k run of 48:09, to wrest the lead over the Australian, and eventually win the women’s elite title. McDougall finished 2nd in 3:40:44. Filipino Rowena Valdes grabbed 3rd place after finishing in 4:11:21.

A total of 1070 duathletes joined the event in the sprawling freeport area of Clarkfield, Pampanga, a former US air force base 80kms north of Manila.