1st Captivating Camotes Triathlon fires off today

LOCAL and foreign triathletes gather on the island of Camotes for the first-ever Captivating Camotes Triathlon today, which will start and end at the Santiago Bay Garden & Resort in the municipality of San Francisco.

Some 20 Japanese triathletes, who have taken part in last year’s Cobra Energy Drink Ironman 70.3 Philippines – Cebu, have come to Cebu to take part in the event.

These Japanese are not first-timers as they have been joining triathlon competitions in Cebu since the sport first became popular back in early 2000.

Organizer Oscar “Boying” Rodriguez said plans for this race was hatched last year and was hastened because of the Japanese triathletes’ interest in the event.

The race will have three distances—the middle, standard and sprint. The middle will have a 1.8 kilometer swim, 60K bike and 15K run while the standard is 1.5K, 40K bike and 10K run. The sprint distance is half of the standard distance.

All 20 Japanese triathletes will be competing in the middle distance.

Top Cebu triathletes who have arrived in Camotes early yesterday were Noy Jopson and Loveleinell Casidsid. Top runner Phillip Duenas, who also dabbles in triathlon, will be seeing action too as well as Sherwin Managil.

The race will be ushered in by the SuperTriKids. Categories are Under 7, 7-8, 9-10, 11-12, 13-15.

Cash prizes will be awarded to the overall top 3 men and women divisions in the middle distance while the 4th to 10th overall finishers in both division will get a Tri Suit made in Japan courtesy of Goodwill Tour, Ltd.

The top 3 overall men and women finishers in the standard distance will get Rudy Project products.   /CORRESPONDENT MARS G. ALISON