Dalaguete to host 2nd leg of Cebu Loves Tri on Feb 3

THE southern Cebu town of Dalaguete is set to boost its thrust for sports tourism when it hosts the second leg of the Cebu Loves Tri Team Championship Series on Feb. 3.

During yesterday’s press conference at the Fuente Pension House, Dalaguete tourism officer Victor Caruz said that the town’s hosting of the event has a very big impact on the municipality’s tourism and economy.

“We are very happy that out of 52 towns and cities, Dalaguete was selected as one of the venues for the event,” Caruz said.

This will be the second time that this southern town will be holding a triathlon race. The first was in 2001 when its mayor back then was also the incumbent mayor, Ronald Allan Cesante.

Aside from trithlon, the town is also planning to hold a duathlon this summer as well as come up with a grassroots development for triathlon.

Anton Regis of the organizing Sugbu Triathlon said registration for Leg 2 will be open until Jan. 27. Those interested can either sign up at the Rudy Project shop in Ayala or online at sugbutriathlon.com.

Banjo Norte, one of the country’s top triathlete, has confirmed his participation for the event.

Race director Benjoe Gimenez said that they are also introducing a sprint distance because they have seen that there are so many beginners interested in the sport.

The sprint distance will be beneficial for beginners as it will only have 750-meter swim, 20-kilometer bike and a 5km run.

Currently leading the team championship is FISH18 with 150 points while at far second is Team Parklane.

Ralph Arche of Team Parklane said that they are confident of adding to their points with Loveleinell Casidsid able to join them for Leg 2.

As in Leg 1, the Tri Team Championship will also be ushered in by a Tri Kids competition on the afternoon of Feb. 2. Some 32 kids have already signed up with some coming from Bohol and Dipolog. /CORRESPONDENT MARS G. ALISON