Local riders dominate 50K age group divisions

Local riders dominated the age group divisions of the 50-kilometer short course of last Saturday’s 2023 Hell of the Marianas Century Cycle.

Heather Brook was the lone participant in the women’s 30-39 road bike division and finished with a time of 2:09:23. Her namesake, Heather Kennedy, was also the lone rider in the women’s 50-59 and came in at 1:58:36.

Jay Anne Felipe, meanwhile, topped a crowded field in the women’s 40-49 and won with a time of 1:48:18 to beat out Shawna Brennfleck (1:49:29) and Marjorie Ganacias (1:56:23)

Jomer Enriquez was first in the men’s 30-39 with at time of 1:48:10, followed by Roy Hernandez and Justin Miller at 1:53:26 and 1:55:44, respectively.

In the men’s 40-49, Dennis Bautista ruled the roost after speeding to the finish line in 1:41:07. Nelson Pagaduan was second in 1:42:53 and Teddy Calma third in 1:44:06.

Cesar Fortaleza, meanwhile, took the plum in the men’s 50-59 clocking in at 1:42:48 with recent returnee Ronald Villafria and Matt Buenabajo in second and third with times of 1:55:17 and 1:55:18.

Finally, Willy Barbo topped the men’s over 60 age group after checking in at 1:47:29. Edgar Abalos and Manny Sitchon finished in the Top 3 with times of 1:50:00 and 2:04:10, respectively.

In the road bike short course, Kris Romero and Beth Kohnen rode solo in the women’s 30-39 and over 60 divisions and finished with times of 2:33:40 and 2:11:48, respectively.

Ian Manalo also was the lone wolf in the men’s 30-39 and came in at 2:07:13. Ditto for Bobax Aguilar in the men’s over 60 (2:17:38).

Matthew Fehrenbacker of Saipan was numero uno in the men’s 40-49 (2:00:50) followed by Japan’s Yoshinori Makino (2:34:58) and Saipan’s Dexter Bertulfo (2:37:58).

Renan “Butch” Sublemente dominated the 50-59 with a time of 1:43:02 with Raymund Tolentino and Greg Clark second and third with times of 1:52:20 and 1:55:55, respectively.

Barbo, who has taken part in the HOM since its inception in 2007, said the hardest part of the race are always the hills going to Kagman, Kingfisher Golf Links, and in Marpi.

Sublemente, for his part, said he just took on the challenge of the short course this year because of lack of training. He vows to register for the 100K long course next year.

Felipe said winning her age group in her HOM debut was a big blessing.

“I’m very thankful for this unforgettable experience and I’m still shocked that I won my age group. I’m also grateful that I was able to cross the finish line without any injuries and even without enough practice. To be able to share this experience and memory with riders from other countries is a great privilege and a great way to end this year,” she said.

Romero, who is an avid swimmer, said she was hoping for rain earlier in the course, but it only poured when she already was in Papago.

“Like I said before I get my strength from rain and I’m a more confident and comfortable riding when water touched my body,” she said in Filipino.

Results of the long course age group will be published in tomorrow’s issue of Saipan Tribune.

The 2023 Hell of the Marianas Century Cycle was sponsored by Seman Law Offices LLC, Tan Holdings and Tan Siu Lin Foundation, IP&E, TurnKey Solutions, Triple J Group of Companies, Pacific Trading Co., Hyatt Regency Saipan, The Bike Shop Saipan, Marpac Inc., and Herman’s Modern Bakery. It was organized by the Northern Mariana Islands Cycling Federation with help from the Marianas Visitors Authority.