All systems go for Mantalongon duathlon

DUATHLETES , triathletes and mountainbikers are expected to gather in Mantalongon, Dalaguete, on May 12 for the Mantalongon Off-Road Duathlon, which will highlight the town’s fiesta celebration.

Aside from pushing to put the town in the sports tourism map, Dalaguete Sports Commissioner Joseph Randy Cisneros said that their mayor Ronald Allan G. Cesante also wants their residents to see what a duathlon event is.

Cisneros added during yesterday’s press conference held at the Fuente Pension House that this will also be the first time that a duathlon is held in Mantalongon, which is also known as the “vegetable basket of Cebu.” Cebu’s highest peak, the Osmeña Peak, is also located in Mantalongon.

Helping the municipality of Dalaguete in organizing the event is Sugbu Triathlon, which is headed by Ralph Arche.

Participants will conquer a 3-kilometer run, 15km bike and end with a 6km run on Mantalongon’s three circumferential roads.

The race will start and end at the Mantalongon National High School, which will also serve as the transition area.

The school will also accommodate athletes who want to go to the area a day before the race.

Free transportation will be provided for participants. It will leave the Cebu City Sports Center at 7 a.m. on May 12 and return at 7 p.m. right after the awards dinner.

Elmo Clarabal, one of Cebu’s top triathlete who graced yesterday’s presscon, said the event will not affect his training for the 70.3 Ironman this August.

“This will be an exciting race because your attention will be focused on the road. Although this is short, this will also be a very painful race,” Clarabal said.

Categories to be contested are 19 below, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50 above and the female open.

Registration can be done at the CCSC care of Franz Baguio, at Sugbu Triathlon, Business Box in Ayala and the Dalaguete Municipal Hall. /CORRESPONDENT MARS G. ALISON