Durianman Triathlon unfolds in Samal

ISLAND GARDEN OF SAMAL, Philippines — Jonard Saim guns for a repeat but braces for a tough challenge from returning five-time champion Jong Sajulga as the Durianman Triathlon unfolds here today.

Saim tries to buck the pain from a gash on his knee he sustained from a fall in the bike stage of the recently concluded Xterra Danao where he slugs it out with Sajulga who is raring to make a strong comeback after missing the event last year due to a conflict in race schedule.

“I am wary about my chances because I’m vying against a strong field and my knee is still painful from my fall last Sunday. But I’ll go at it in the swim and bike stages because he (Sajulga) is strong in running,” said Saim.

“I don’t feel pressured (in going for his sixth title). I’m going to this race really relaxed and I’ll just enjoy,” said Sajulga.

Saim and Sajulga lead a crack nine-man elite field and 212 participants overall seeing action in the seventh edition of the event, which also marks the third straight year that it is held in the island which boasts of the Guinness World Record-holder Monfort Bat Colony (largest colony of Geoffrey’s Rousette Fruit Bat) and tourist destinations – the Vanishing Island and Hagimit Falls.

Participants will tackle a 1.5-km point-to-point cross-channel swim from Sasa, Davao City to Club Samal Resort crossing the Pakiputan Channel, a 40-km two-loop bike course along Circumferential Road which features short ascents and a 10-km out-and-back run stage also along Circumferential Road.

“The unpredictable current of the Pakiputan Channel makes the swim-course very challenging,” said race director Stax Savellano.