Erik Esperanzate and Nicole Andaya Triumph at Inaugural 5150 FAB Triathlon in Bataan

Erik Esperanzate and Nicole Andaya emerged as the champions at the debut 5150 FAB Triathlon held in Mariveles, Bataan, on Sunday, demonstrating their exceptional cycling prowess on a course renowned for its steep and technical ascents and descents.\n\nAt only 18 years old, Esperanzate overcame a less-than-ideal swim segment by leveraging his superior bike performance, expertly navigating Bataan’s challenging terrain to create a decisive lead. He clinched victory with a time of 2:31:47, completing the swim in 29:03, the bike leg in 1:12:47, and the run in 47:42. Close behind was James Van Ramoga, who finished second at 2:32:58, followed by Finland’s Jamo Makelainen in third with a time of 2:41:09.\n\nIn the women’s category, Nicole Andaya dominated the field, thanks largely to an impressive 1:29:37 bike split en route to her overall finish of 2:52:53. Reflecting on the race, Andaya remarked, "I really like the bike course because it’s uphill, and pain is part of triathlon. But when you reach the top, you see the view of the whole Bataan, which I really enjoy."\n\nOrganized by Sunrise Events, Inc. in partnership with FAB, the triathlon featured a 1.5-kilometer swim, a 40-kilometer cycling segment, and a 10-kilometer run. The event tested the endurance and skill of both established athletes and emerging talents on a course designed to challenge all participants.