New Phl triathletes test mettle in ‘14 nat’l age-group tiff

MANILA, Philippines - A showcase of new talents of the Philippine triathlon and duathlon team will serve as the highlight of the opening leg of the 2014 National Age-Group Triathlon (NAGT) series which will start at sunrise Jan.  19 at the Dungaree Beach, Subic Bay Freeport.

The new Phl team members composed of Jared Macalalad, Claire Adorna, Nestor Cagas, Vicky Deldeo, Justin Chiongbian, Baltazar Valencia and Nancy Papaya will test their mettle against tough competitors in the special elite category which will determine their rankings as well as their preparations for this year’s Asian Games, Asian Beach Games and the Youth Olympic Games.

Also competing are national standouts like Nikko Huelgas, Jon Chicano, Km Mangrobang, Kevin Eijansantos, Robeno Javier, Pawee Fornea, Mirasol Abad and Magali Echauz. The elites along with seasoned age-groupers will endure the Standard Distance 1.5K swim – 40K bike – 10K run course which will take them from Dungaree to Argonaut Highway (until Corregidor) and to Naval Mag in the freeport.

In the event sponsored by the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Tourism Department, Asian Centre for Insulation Philippines, Inc. (ACIP), Gatorade, Standard Insurance, Green Triathlon, Lifestyle Subic Bay and Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), age-groupers (20 and above) and the 16-19 participants will handle the sprint distance course (750m swim – 20K bike – 5K run) while teen participants aged 13 to 16 years-old will engage in the mini-sprint course of 350M swim – 16K bike – 2.5 K run). A SuperTriKids aquathlon side-event will be held for participants aged 9-10 years (200M swim – 400M run) and 11-12 years (350M swim – 1.5K run).

At 8:30 a.m. , participants will be allowed to take their post-race meal followed by the event’s awarding ceremony at 10 a.m.. Medals and gift items will be award to the Top 3 male and female winners of the different categories covering all distances. Meanwhile, race participants will be entitled to finishers’ medals and t-shirts.

Registration is ongoing until Jan. 12. with entry fees set at P3,500 for standard distance events, P3,000 for sprint distance, P2,500 for mini-sprint and P1,000 for STK aquathlon races. BIKEKING (Bonifacio High Street) and SPEEDO Concept Stores (Alabang, SM Megamall, The Podium, Glorietta 4 and Bonifacio High Street) are the registration centers.