SAMAL ISLAND. — Eryk Omandam and Natasha Doromal-Lim stamped their class in style, powering their way to victory in the inaugural Damosa Land 5150 Triathlon, securing the men’s and women’s overall crowns against a strong international field on Sunday.
The duo conquered the challenging Olympic-distance course – comprising a 1.5km swim, 40km bike, and 10km run – with sheer determination and strategic racing. Omandam, only 20 years old and a third-year Human Resource Management student at University of Mindanao, clinched the men’s title in 2:20:24 (20:20 swim, 1:12:12 bike, 44:04 run), surging past more experienced triathletes.
“The bike was manageable but tough because you never know what’s coming. But during the run, I realized I was in a good position because I couldn’t see anyone close behind,” said Omandam in Filipino, who also ruled the 20-24 age category of the event organized by Sunrise Events, Inc., which drew over 1,110 athletes from across the Philippines and other countries.
Omandam, fresh from a fourth-place age group finish in IRONMAN 70.3 Lapu-Lapu, outpaced Arthur Abogado (2:22:26), who dominated the 45-49 division, and Jonard Saim (2:26:21), who settled for third overall.
The Damosa Land 5150 debut not only crowned champions but also cemented its place as a premier race in the Philippine triathlon calendar – one that delivered scenic views, shifting challenges and breakthrough performances from start to finish.
In the women’s race, Lim delivered a breakthrough performance after five previous 5150 starts. She clocked 2:47:33 (26:01 swim, 1:18:50 bike, 58:11 run), finally tasting victory after years of consistent training and recent work with a coach.
“I’ve been preparing for two years now,” said the 32-year-old Lim, who also captured the 30-34 age group title. “The swim was tricky because of the current, and the bike route was really challenging. But the run was almost perfect – shaded and flat.”
Lim held off Faith Garcia (2:50:55) for the overall title, with Alessandra Aquino finishing third (2:53:24) and clinching the 20-24 category crown.
Athletes raced under shifting weather, with overcast skies during the swim giving way to bright sunshine in the bike leg. The run segment, set against a tree-lined path, offered brief relief with its shade and scenic backdrop, though the final uphill stretch proved a punishing end for many.
Other age group champions in the women’s field of the event, held in partnership with Damosa Land, Inc., included Hong Kong’s Giselle Li (16-19 – 3:12:25), Alexis Belen (25-29 – 2:58:46), Aime Teodisio (35-39 – 3:06:23), Joanna Marie Cruz (40-44 – 2:49:25), Catherine Arias (45-49 – 2:48:03), Sheila Tan (50-54 – 3:22:33), and Japan’s Tomoko Dodo (70-74 – 4:03:01).
In the men’s division, York Shan Nasol topped the 16-19 category with a time of 2:38:53, while Eduardo Catoc bagged the 25-29 crown in 2:41:14. Other standouts included John Mark Rama (30-34 – 2:31:47), Patrick Serrano (40-44 – 2:29:14), Swiss national Roman Menz (50-54 – 2:34:41), Erwin Amadeo (55-59 – 3:14:48), Robert Shannon from the US (60-64 – 2:59:39), and Nick Cudmore (65-69 – 3:08:43).
In the shorter Sunrise Sprint race (750m swim, 20km bike, 5km run), Ann Marie Tigullo dominated the women’s field in 1:38:37 (16:45-45:10-33:07), also winning the 16-19 age category.
Other female sprint winners were Sherr Daniot (20-24 – 1:51:23), Regine Valentin (25-29 – 1:41:37), Antonette Bautista (30-34 – 1:39:17), Princess Kedtag (35-39 – 1:36:40), Jacqueline Orilla (40-44 – 2:03:49), and Jonna Menchavez (50-54 – 2:01:17).
