Vaseline Men XTERRA off-road triathlon unfolds today

Some of the world’s best triathletes converge at the Amara Subdivision in barangay Catarman in Liloan to compete in today’s Vaseline Men XTERRA off-road triathlon.

The race serves as a qualifier to the Xterra World Championships to be held in Oahu and Maui, Hawaii this December.

Leading the list of top contenders for this year’s race is four-time Xterra European tour champion Renata Bucher, who aims to top the women’s division after placing second last year to Australian Shonny Vanlandingham.

2011 South Africa Xterra champion Carina Wasle of Austria is also casting a misty eye on this year’s title along with 2011 Brazil  Xterra champion Ben Allen of Australia and 2008 ITU World Cup Subic bay champion Matt O’Halloran of Canada.

Meanwhile, the local front will be manned by three-time Philippine National Open champion, two-time Southeast Asian Games medalist and 15-time Ironman finisher Arland Macasieb.

Other noted triathletes include Will Kelsay and Branden Rakita of the United States, Cedric Lassondre of France, Takahiro “Oga-san” Ogasawara of Japan, Darrelle “Daz” Parker, Jacqui Slack and Graham Wadsworth from the United Kingdom.

Xterra Philippines owner and triathlete Fred Uytengsu said he is excited with this year’s race, which will feature around 300 triathletes competing in Liloan’s rough, off-road terrain.

There are two triathlon events today—the Xterra Lite and the Xterra Philippines Championship.

The Xterra Lite will feature a 500-meter swim, 30-kilometer bike and a 5-kilometer run.

On the other hand, the Xterra Philippines Championship involves a more grueling challenge with a 1.5-kilometer swim, 30-kilometer bike and a 10-kilometer run.

Apart from winning exciting cash prizes, the top age-group finishers will also vie for 40 slots to the Xterra World Championships in Maui, Hawaii.

After Cebu, the series moves to Clark, Pampanga for the Putik Pare leg slated on Nov. 18.