ROLANDO Gacayan has taken the lead in the road bike category of the Hell of the Marianas 2023 race series by completing the tough course with a time of 01:15:35 on Sunday morning in Marpi.
The first of the three-race series featured 25 bikers competing for the top spot in the road bike and mountain bike categories.
Gacayan, along with Joel Buco and Renren Gaviola, led the pack as they battled for the lead. The race route included the former Mariana Resort, Banzai Cliff, the former La Fiesta mall, the one-million-gallon tank, Suicide Cliff, Bird Island then back to Banzai Cliff before heading to the finish line at the former Mariana Resort.
It was during the racers’ second time at Banzai Cliff when Gacayan broke away and pushed through the final stretch of the course to secure first place with a time of 01:15:35.
Just two seconds behind was Buco with a time of 01:15:37 followed by Gaviola at 01:15:48. Leo Baetiong came in fourth with a time of 01:19:13 and Nap Dizon was fifth at 01:19:31.
Sharing the spotlight are the top finishers of their respective age divisions. They are:
• Reno Academia who finished first in the 40 and below division with a time of 01:38:43;
• Jay-ar Barrios who topped the 40-44 division with a time of 01:20:41 followed by Rod Gonzales at 01:28:04, and Fred Remilloza at 01:43:27;
• Hernan Cristobal led the 45-49 division at 01:20:49 followed by Elmer Esdrelon at 01:22:15, Harold Balana at 01:22:18, and Pacman Jacob at 01:26:48;
• Renato Barros went solo in the 50-54 division with a time of 01:38:50;
• Noel Altamriano clinched first in the 55-59 division at 01:31:05, followed by Bernard Laborce at 01:31:39, and Nomer Mangalinao at 01:31:49;
• Pax Guevarra led the 60 and above division with a time of 01:25:09, followed by Ponce Corotan with a time of 01:26:54, Edgar Abalos with a time of 01:33:21, and Stephen Nutting with a time of 01:44:37;
• And in the mountain bike category, Mike Aparte sits on top of the leaderboard with a time of 01:25:09 followed by Bryan Ytac at 01:30:43, Angeles Alvarez at 01:38:40, and Boboy Aguilar at 01:43:36.
The next race will be held on Aug. 20 while the third race will be held on Oct.15.
The race series champion and age division winners will receive their awards following the last race of the series. Winners will be determined by the best combined times in all three races.
Rolando Gacayan, foreground, approaches the finish line with Joel Buco trailing behind during the first race of the Hell of the Marianas 2023 series Sunday in Marpi.
