Tri-United 1 At Subic: A Personal Look

No doubt, interest and participation in triathlons all over the country continues to grow as does the number of teams participating in these events as was evidenced at last Sunday’s Unilab Tri-United held at the Dungaree Beach, Subic Bay Freeport.

It was my first time to attend a triathlon event, not as a participant but to cover it as part of the Unilab Media team in promoting its program of pro-active health and wellness activities through triathlons (Tri-United) and running (Run United).

Well, the Tri-United was like a whirlwind of an event, juggling my LCD camera from the swim events at Dungaree Beach then climbing my way up to the bike transition area and finally taking photos at my favorite event, running (in case you didn’t know).

As expected, the entire experience proved to be an eye opener. Triathletes are pretty serious with their gears and the sea of top tri-bikes resting atop those poles  sure looks like a fashion show of rides parading on the ramps. A couple of Cervelos here and there, Trek, Scott, Giant, Specialized and the Orbea brands, to name a few, dominated the field and even some mountain bikes with road tires were seen. I was drooling with envy and even thought of hi-jacking one of them to give it a spin around Subic Bay!

At the swim start of the Standard distance

At least 600 of the country’s top triathletes spread out over the standard and sprint distances with team relays were on hand at the Dungaree Beach under fairly good weather.

The Tri-United is an excellent event for our local triathletes to hone up their skills and most specially to the newbies who want to try out the standard (1.5km swim/ 40km bike ride/ 10km run) or the shorter sprint distances. Here,  they get the feel of what’s it like to splash and kick with other triathletes in a not so crowded open-water swim.

I saw many friends who were doing the tri for the first time and felt their jitters, most specially at the start of the swim event where most of them do not really have much of the swimming experience which for them was very daunting. One even confided to me that as long as he comes out of the water alive, he sure will be kicking it at the end of the run event!

Great to see the triathletes come out of the water one by one and sprint up on that carpeted ramp on their way to their transition for the bike leg but saw so many struggle as they huff and puff to catch their breath even before they started mounting their bikes.

I wasn’t able to witness much of the bike race as this was held outside of the transition areas although the excitement returned when each rider returned, dismounting from their bikes and ran towards their respective pole positions to start out their runs.

First time triathletes Toby Claudio, Jeff Lo and Amanda Manait. 2nd from right is Carlos de Guzman of SBR

With tri friends, Jet, Erick and Vic

Super Mom, Vanj Endaya

With wacky comedienne, Melai doing a triathlon segment of her show at Abs-Cbn.

Getting a shirt at the Saucony booth to go with my Kinvara3. Thanks for the shirt, Saucony!

For us spectators, the run was the most exciting because we would cheer on the runners whenever they hit the turn-around 5k point and it was here where we saw the strongest and most determined of the lot. Team’s here were tight-knit and the camaraderie was infectious although every body seems to cheer every one that passes through the finish line.

At the awarding ceremony, awards to winners were given not only to Elite athletes but also to age-group winners. For an event not so crowded with participants, i think giving out various awards to age-group category winners is just appropriate. Each age group winners should be given due recognition and i wish this system should also carry-over to pure running events.

Age group podium winners. Keshia Fule (1st), Lilian Banzon (2nd), Ma. Katrina Amistoso (3rd)

Winners of the Relay category

With Claire and Dulce of Unilab (3rd and 2nd from left) and members of the media

It was great to watch these triathletes push their boundaries and they gave it all…emotionally, physically and mentally and to the newbie finishers, they all conquered both their doubts and fear. Congratulations!

My heartfelt thanks to Claire Papa, Dulce Morales and to the rest of Unilab’s External Affairs for this opportunity to cover this event and for the delightful camaraderie i had with fellow bloggers and all my triathlete friends. You all rock!

What i do when i don’t run INENG Barbecues, race sponsors

Vaseline Men XTERRA Off Road Triathlon Philippines

The scenic, resort town of Liloan, Cebu will once again be the site of the 2013 Vaseline Men, Xterra Off-Road Triathlon and Trail Run to be held on March 2 and 3, 2013.

Known for its pristine beaches, historical structures and its famous local cookies called Rosquillos, triathletes all over the world will again savor its beaches, scenic trails and the delectable dishes Liloan has to offer to its world-class competing athletes.

Defending champions Renata Bucher of Switzerland and Ben Allen of Australia are expected to return and defend their titles as world champions of last year’s Xterra Philippines. I sure wish time and finances weren’t issues for me to join this event…the trail run, i mean.

Here are details of the event:

MARCH 2, 2013 (Liloan, Cebu)

XTERRA Light Triathlon:

• 500 m – swim
• 20km – bike
• 5 km – run

Individual – P 4,500.00 (US$ 100.00)

Relay – P 6,750.00 ( US$ 150.00)

XTERRA Philippine Championships

• 1.5 km – swim
• 35 km – bike
• 10 km – run

Individual – P 6,750.00 (US$ 150.00)

Relay – P 9,000.00 (US$ 200.00)

MARCH 3, 2013 (Liloan, Cebu)

Trail Run:

• 21k – P 1,800.00 (inclusive of finisher’s shirt/medal/slot
• 10k – p 1,250.00 (inclusive of finisher’s shirt)
•  5k  -  P    750.00 (inclusive of finisher’s shirt)

Conquer your limits with 2013 Vaseline Men XTERRA Off-road Triathlon Series

Press Release

After staging successful series of off-road action events last year, Vaseline Men, the fastest growing men’s skin care brand in the Philippines again challenges you to conquer your limits in the 2013 Vaseline Men XTERRA Off-road Triathlon Series.

Dubbed as the world’s premier off-road triathlon event, the Vaseline Men XTERRA Off-road Triathlon Series will kick off this year with the Vaseline Men XTERRA Championship Weekend.

Slated on March 2-3, the event features exhilarating trail run and triathlon races that will challenge even the most seasoned athletes. On its second year, Vaseline Men will again bring triathletes to the pristine waters and rough but picturesque terrains of Liloan, Cebu for a more exciting set of challenges.

Mr. Fred Uytengsu, Chairman of Sunrise Events and CEO of Alaska Milk Corp. giving his welcome address to friends from the media

The Vaseline Men XTERRA Championship Weekend in Cebu will commence with two triathlon events on March 2: the XTERRA Lite and the XTERRA Philippines Championship. The XTERRA Lite involves a 500-meter swim, 20-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, 35-kilometer bike and a 10-kilometer run.  All of these will take place in scenic Liloan, Cebu.

Actor Jericho Rosales, product endorser of Vaseline Men and at left is Jonathan Pua, the product’s Brand Manager

Aside from winning exciting cash prizes (total pro prize money is US$15,000), the top age group finishers will vie for 40 slots to the XTERRA World Championships in Maui, Hawaii.  Registration for the March 2 triathlon events is ongoing in the Vaseline Men XTERRA Philippines website (www.xterraphil.com).

In the middle (in black) is Princess Galura, General Manager of Sunrise Events

Capping off the Vaseline Men XTERRA Weekend is a trail run on March 3, which will feature demanding courses in 21, 10 and 5-kilometer distances for both the male and female categories.

More importantly, top age group finishers for the 21K trail run will qualify for the world championships for the XTERRA Trail Run slated in Hawaii this year. Registration for the March 3 trail run is ongoing at http://www.xterraphil.com and in all Runner Stores nationwide.

Vaseline’s jonathan Pua, Fred Uytengsu of Alaska and actor Jericho Rosales

Interested parties may also register for the trail run at selected Watson’s branches. Moreover, for every purchase of Vaseline Men 100g Facial Wash, they will also get a discount for the race registration fee. Just visit Watson’s at SM Mall of Asia, SM Megamall and SM North EDSA from February 9-10, 15-17 and 22-24, and buy Vaseline Men 100g Facial Wash to enjoy this discount.

Do you notice something here?

A proud supporter of the Philippine athletic community, Vaseline Men sent a five-man Philippine team to compete in the XTERRA Off-road Triathlon Series Global Championship last October 2012.

Vaseline Men also offers a wide range of skin care products which are perfect for men who engage in physically demanding activities including triathlons as they help protect the skin from the sun’s harmful rays and wash away dirt, dust and pollution.

Included in its range are Facial Washes, Face Moisturizers, Body Lotion and Body Wash. Now, Filipino men can continue to enjoy doing their physical activities outdoors and still get their skin protected from harsh elements from nature. Vaseline Men is now available in all leading men’s zones in major supermarkets, drugstore and department stores nationwide.

So this year, prepare to conquer it all at the Vaseline Men XTERRA Off-road Triathlon Series.  To know more, log on to www.xterraphil.com or visit www.facebook.com/vaselinemenph.   You can also visit ROX and Runnr stores for more details.

The Vaseline Men XTERRA Off-road Triathlon Series is also sponsored by Alaska, Summit Water, LBC, The Philippine Star, Multisport, Studio 23, Gatorade, Canon, Aqua Sphere, David’s Salon, Intercare, Rocktape, Timex, Municipality of Liloan, Cebu and Smart.

Of Natori, Cobonpue and the 2012 Cobra 70.3 Ironman Triathlon

Mr. Fred Untengsu, CEO-Alaska Milk

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So, well-known Filipino designers are now getting involved in the most unlikely venue to showcase their widely known talents…RUNNING and TRIATHLON! First, it was the acclaimed international fashion designer,  Josie Natori who was commissioned by HSBC to design their race singlet for its race last year. When news broke out that Ms. Natori was designing the singlet, it generated tremendous excitement in the running community.  And in just a few weeks time, registration reached 3,500 runner registrants.

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Now, maybe taking the cue from the excitement it generated, no less than Cebu-based furniture designer of Hollywood royalties, Kenneth Cobonpue has been tasked to design the medals of the prestigious 2012 Cobra Ironman 70.3 Triathlon which will be held in Cebu.

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Cobonpue’s iconic furniture designs has graced the worlds top hotels, restaurants, resorts and homes of the world’s rich and famous in more than 50 countries.

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The medal design, which is still being kept under wraps will feature the three disciplines of the triathlon sport;  swimming, cycling and running. When Alaska CEO Fred Uytengsu asked Cobonpue to show him the design, the latter retorted that he will have to “kill” him first before he shows anything of what it looks like.

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Kenneth Cobonpue

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“I am very happy to be part of an international event that not only showcases fitness and health, but also promotes Cebu as a tourism destination site and rev-up the local economy” Cobonpue said in his statement.

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Well, i’m sure the medal will be distinct, very Filipino and (just guessing here) it might also symbolize the province of Cebu being the newest sports hub of triathlon. I seriously doubt if the medal is going to be made of rattan (the material Cobonpue is famously known to use) but i venture that it would be of steel brass and big as a saucer, as one would imagine.

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The Z Bar in Cebu with the Cobonpue touch

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This year’s edition Cobra Ironman Triathlon will be held at the Shangrila-Mactan Resort and Spa on August 5, 2012 and no less than 1,300 were able to beat the registration deadline months ago.

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I feel that the organizers have made a good choice in staging the Ironman in Cebu as it has all the amenities in staging a sporting event of this magnitude.

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At its final launching last Wednesday at the Shangrila, Makati, the race organizers, Sunrise Events as well as the Cebu government led by Governor Gwen Garcia laid down to the press all the race’s groundworks including all the preparations that both athletes and spectators would expect.

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The Race Proponents

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THE SWIM:

After racing in a man-made lake the past three years participants will swim in a 1.2 mile open water sea  starting at the beach of the Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort & Spa in Mactan Island.

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THE BIKE & RUN:

The 56-mile bike ride will traverse four municipalities ( LapuLapu, Mandaue, Cebu City and Talisay) while the culminating 13.1-mile run will be at Punta Engano, LapuLapu City.

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THE PARTICIPANTS:

Race organizer Sunrise Events, Inc. promises to top the wildly successful races of the past three years assuring that that this year’s race will be its biggest, most exciting edition yet. A huge field of 1,319 individuals and 115 relay teams from 31 countries, with 350 on the wait list, will test their strength and endurance once again as Ironman 70.3 Philippines provides another once-in-a-lifetime triathlon experience.

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THE ELITES:

No less than last year’s champions, Pete Jacobs (3:51:43) and Belinda Granger (4:26:230) will defend their championships.

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Jacobs, who has become a regular fixture of the Cobra Energy Drink Ironman 70.3 Philippines, will gun for an unprecedented third consecutive victory after winning the past two editions in 2010 and 2011. He will have his hands full against Cobra Energy Drink Ironman 70.3 Philippines inaugural champion Terenzo Bozzone from New Zealand who won the 2009 race.

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Other male professionals include Fredrik Croneborg from Sweden, Justin Granger from Australia, Mathieu O’Halloran of Alaska TeamTBB Philippines who now lives in the Philippines and Jesse Thomas from the United States.

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Defending champion Belinda Granger, also from Australia who is fresh from her triumph at the Century Tuna 5i50 Triathlon in Subic, aims for back-to-back titles against familiar face Bree Wee from the United States who was in third place last year. Ali Fitch of Alaska Team TBB Philippines from Australia will also be in the mix.

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A Cebu showcase

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With co-bloggers: Daves, Rainier, Eman, Banjo and Let

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The presenting sponsor of the Cobra Energy Drink Ironman 70.3 Philippines is Globe Telecom. The official carrier is the Philippine Airlines.  Media partners are MultiSport magazine, the Philippine Star and Studio 23.

Schedule

The Century Tuna 5i50 Triathlon: June 24, 2012

To all the triathlon enthusiasts out there,  here’s something to look forward to. Alaska Milk is now hosting the Century Tuna 5i50 Triathlon Series Philippines on June 24 at Subic Bay.

The 5i50 Triathlon Series started just last year (2011) in the US by World Triathlon Corporation (WTC), owners of Ironman and Ironman 70.3 races and the Philippine edition will be an Olympic-distance triathlon race (1.5k swim, 40k bike ride, 10k run) and is the first 5i50 distance triathlon sanctioned by WTC to be held in Southeast Asia.

The Jazzrunner was invited to its launching last week at the Dusit Thani Hotel in Makati and the affair was attended by luminaries in the world of sports, entertainment, media and other sports personalities particularly top foreign and upcoming local triathletes.

Those interested in joining the 5i50 Triathlon Series may register up until May 31, 2012. Registration fees are US$ 150.00 for individual and US$180.00 for relay which include 2XU Race Kit Bags, Finisher’s Medal, 2XU Finishers’ T-Shirt, Carbo-Load Dinner and Post-Race Lunch.

Here are the press details of the race:

Sunrise Events Inc. brings Century Tuna at Subic Bay

Philippine hospitality, ingenuity and its unbelievably beautiful scenery will once again be showcased before the world when Alaska Milk stages the Olympic-distance Century Tuna 5i50 Triathlon Series Philippines on June 24 at scenic Subic Bay.

With proponents of the Century Tuna 5i50 Triathlon

Alaska Milk Corporation (AMC) President and CEO Fred Uytengsu, through Sunrise Events, Inc. (SEI), introduces the Olympic-distance triathlon race (1.5k swim, 40k bike, 10k run) to local shores. This is the first 5i50 distance triathlon sanctioned by the World Triathlon Corporation (WTC) to be held in Southeast Asia.

“Our aim with this event is to encourage even more people to adopt a healthy lifestyle and embrace multisport training and racing. While we recognize that people may have an Ironman or Ironman 70.3 event as a ‘bucket list’ item, we also realize that you need to start somewhere and this event does exactly that. The distance is challenging for the novice triathlete and we hope to encourage many individuals to start with this distance,” said Uytengsu.

The two-time Ford Ironman World Championship finisher said he hopes to attract more participants in the sport by staging this shorter distance as well as holding relays with separate participants in the swim, bike and run legs of the race.

“We will have several categories in the relay division. We believe that by offering relays, we will end up getting full-fledged triathletes from this group as these participants will discover the joy and challenge of completing all three disciplines,” said Uytengsu.

The entire race will be within the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), a former US Naval base and one of two former major military bases of the United States in the Philippines.

“We are pleased that Subic Bay has agreed to be our host venue for 2012 until 2014. Although Subic Bay has been host to many multi sport events, we will make it our challenge to make the 5i50 another world class production,” said Uytengsu.

Participating triathletes can say they have swum in majestic Subic Bay where mighty battleships were once moored surrounded by breathtaking mountains.

These mountains too will pose another daunting challenge during the bike leg which will feature some vicious climbs.

And like the other run legs in triathlons run in the Philippine, the 10k run route will be lined with spectators, giving the athletes that extra boost from cheering crowds that will help them complete the 51.5 kilometer distance.

Title sponsor is Century Tuna, the leading tuna brand in the Philippines. Other sponsors are Alaska Milk, 2XU, David’s Salon, Gatorade, Intercare, Oakley, Timex, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority and media partners Philippine Star and Multisport Magazine.

Team TBB of Alaska Milk

Interested parties may visit the Website http://www.5150philippines.com <http://www.5150philippines.com> for more details.