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PRESS RELEASE – Local triathletes Gabe Lombard and Ayshalynn Perez were declared the 2012 Guam National Triathlon champions this past Saturday at the annual Olympic distance race hosted by the Guam Triathlon Federation.

Gabe Lombard is the Guam Male Triathlon Champion. (courtesy photo)

Held once a year in Merizo, the national championship race features a 1,500 meter swim, a 40 kilometer bike, and a 10 kilometer run.  Lombard finished with the second fastest time of 2 hours, 11 minutes and 33 seconds and Perez completed the triathlon in 2:55:34 – good enough for third overall in the female division.

The national championship award is given to the fastest local male and female triathletes who would be eligible to represent Guam in international races.

Former Olympian Returns

Former Guam Olympian and seasoned Ironman World Championship competitor Wil Yamamoto was on-island and competed in the triathlon championship race, much to the delight of many of the race’s participants.

Yamamoto, a standout triathlete who currently resides in Hawaii, formerly represented Guam in both swimming and cycling in past Olympic Games, as well as a triathlete in previous South Pacific Games.  Coming off an injury that had sidelined him for nearly a month, he would finish first overall with a blazing time of 2:06:27, leading the race from start to finish.

Former Guam Olympian Wil Yamamoto exits the water with the fastest swim. (courtesy photo)

“It was a privilege, and very humbling, racing against Wil,” Lombard said, “I’m happy to have been awarded the championship, but I know I’ve still got a ways to improve to even come close to accomplishing some of the things he has.  He’s definitely blazed a trail for Guam triathletes to follow.”

Lombard trailed Yamamoto by a few minutes after the swim and was never able to threaten him on the bike and run, coming in second place overall.  Rounding out the top three males was Jacob Bustamante, a 16 year old high school student who recorded the second fastest swim split.  Bustamante was able to hold off Ironman World Championship qualifier Cameron O’neal to take third place overall with a time of 2:22:12.

Kane Top Female

Cameron Kane was unchallenged the entire race and was the first female to cross the finish line in a time of 2:28:47.  She recorded the fastest run, bike and swim splits among all female competitors.  Coming in second place was Kristina Ingvarsson, finishing in 2:39:07, with Perez following her to finish third place overall in the female division.

The mixed team of Jacky Goodwin, James Sardea, and Toby Aube, took home the top relay honors with a combined time of 2:28:37, followed by the all-male team of Oliver Cerbo, and Craig Thedwall who finished in 2:34:04.  The all-female team of Mindy Laronal, Monessa Horton, and Rose Munoz finished third place overall for relay teams with a time of 2:41:06.

“We would like to say a big thank you to all the participants in our National Triathlon in the beautiful village of Merizo,” said Guam Triathlon Federation President, Mark Cruz, “we also have to say thanks to the Merizo Mayor’s Office, US Coast Guard, Air Force 36 CES Squadron, DCK Pacific, Bishman Electrical, Market Wholesale Distributors, Ambros Inc, and all the volunteers.  Also, thanks to Diane Salas for the pictures and the great GTF crew and volunteers who made the award ceremony awesome.”

Official times and results are available on triathlonguam.com.

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