RENREN GAVIOLA and Lily Muldoon finished first in their respective divisions of the 2nd Annual Bike Race For A Cause on Sunday in Marpi.
In the long course category, the route took participants from the former Mariana Resort to Banzai Cliff then to La Fiesta and up to Bird Island before heading to the finish line at Suicide Cliff where Renren Gaviola took the spotlight as the overall top racer with a time of 01:02:04 in the road bike male division.
He beat Mark Isip who finished second with a time of 01:02:34 while Fred Remillosa came in third at 01:02:46.
“I’m happy to win first place,” Gaviola said. “I’d been wanting to win a race for a long time, but I usually placed second or third. And now I finally got it, first place!” He dedicates his win to his parents and girlfriend for always supporting him. “Thank you also to my co-bikers, and a shoutout and thank you to Tito Jay for letting me borrow his wheelset. Thank you to the organization and to the people behind this wonderful race!”
Sharing the spotlight with Gaviola was Lily Muldoon who triumphed in the road bike female division with a finish time of 01:08:13. Jay Anne Felipe clinched second place with a time of 01:12:07 while Heather Brook finished third with a time of 01:12:30.
Also clinching a podium finish were Rolando Gacayan (01:06:51) in the below 40 age group, Teddy Calma (01:26:04) in the 40-44 age group, Joel Buco (01:06:20) in the 45-49 age group, Bob Ferrer (01:08:06) in the 50-54 age group, Noel Altamirano (01:08:51) in the 55-59 age group, and Ponciano Corotan (01:14:48) in the 60 and above age group.
For the mountain bike long course, it was Leo Baetiong who was first to cross the finish line at 01:10:37 while Hernan Cristobal came in second with a time of 01:11:03 and Dan Mendiola was third with a time of 01:13:16.
Also finishing first were Leo Wania (01:18:49) in the 44-49 age group, Raymund Tolentino (01:20:34) in the 50-54 age group, Edgar Abalos (01:21:38) in the 55-59 age group, and Sol Aitnet Guerrero (01:29:45) in the 60 and above age group.
Short course
A short course was added to this year’s event. Its route took riders from the former Mariana Resort to the turnaround point at Banzai Cliff then to La Fiesta for another turnaround before heading to the finish line at the “triangle,” the junction that leads to Bird Island or Suicide Cliff.
In the road bike category, Jay-ar Barrios led the pack, finishing first with a time of 35:21 followed by Jaypee Pangelinan in second place at 38:13 and Manolito Basa in third with a time of 40:10.
Also on the list of first-placers were Jester Baldonado (45:18) in the below 40 age group, David Reyes (42:10) in the 45-49 age group, Ruel Magtalas (52:34) in the 55-59 age group, and Florence Antonio (41:39) in the 60 and above age group.
In the mountain bike category, Marie Sablan stole the show as the top finisher in the female division with a time of 56:59.
In the male division, Jomar Manalo claimed first place with a time of 42:15 followed by Rico Manungay in second with a time of 45:48 and Gabriel Manalansan in third with a time of 46:04.
Roy Hernandez (46:06) joined the spotlight by topping the below 40 age group while Joseph Gatdula (50:32) was victorious in the 55-59 age group.
Personal advocacy
Wilfredo Barbo, a Saipan Unity Lions Club board member, said he has hosted the event for two years straight as part of his personal advocacy.
During last year’s event, the funds raised went to several recipients on island that were in need of help, but this year, Barbo decided to make a donation to the Lions Club International Foundation which has a program in South Africa for the sick and hungry.
A total of 62 bikers participated in Sunday’s race.
Hosting the event, Barbo said, “is my gift to myself — instead of throwing a party for myself I host this fundraising bike race to get some funds for people in need.”
It was Barbo’s birthday on Sunday. “They [the participants] are very happy to help, and their support is overwhelming,” he added.
Renren Gaviola celebrates as he reaches the finish line of the 2nd Annual Bike Race For A Cause Sunday at Suicide Cliff.
Lily Muldoon, Jay Anne Felipe, Heather Brook, Mark Isip, Renren Gaviola and Red Remillosa pose for a photo with their medals at the conclusion of the 2nd Annual Bike Race For A Cause Sunday at Suicide Cliff.
