Miller faces tall order in Xterra Albay

LEGAZPI, ALBAY, Philippines — Cebuano pro Joseph Miller braces for an uphill battle in his pursuit of glory as the Xterra Albay, the country's toughest off-road triathlon race, unfolds today here.

Miller of Team Ford Forza will go up aginst a dozen pro triathletes led by defending champion Bradley Weiss of South Africa and Ben Allen of Australia, his mentor and former grandslam champion.

The rest of the top contenders in the men's division are Cameron O’Neal and Charlie Epperson of Guam, Michal Bucak of Crotia, Taylor Charlton of Australia, Hsieh Chung Sing of Hong Kong, and Brodie Gardner of Australia.

In the distaff side, no Pinay has been entered in the elite pro division.  A new champion is also set to be crowned as last year's winner Flora Duffy won't be able to defend her title as she is in deep training for this year's Rio Olympics.

With that, the battle for supremacy will evolve among veteran campaigners Jacqui Slack, Mieko Carey of Guam, Alena Stevens, Daz Parker, Renata Bucher and Dimity Lee-Duke.

Aside from the pros, over 200 other entries will be vying also for slots to the 2016  Xterra World Championships.

The organizing Sunrise Events will take the participants to the shores of Lidong in Mayon Rivera for the 1.5Kswim, the wide and open trails with a view of Mt. Mayon for the 35K bike and the 10K run heading to the Casagwa Ruins. (FREEMAN)