(from left-right) Kim Mangrobang, Fernando Casares, Raven Faith Alcoseba, and Andrew Kim Remolino. | Inquirer and TRAP photos
DAPITAN CITY, Philippines — The country’s best triathletes will race head-to-head on Sunday, September 10, for the inaugural Dapitan 5150 Triathlon that will start and finish at the scenic Sunset Boulevard, here.
Leading the star-studded cast of triathletes are Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) triathlon four-time gold medalist Kim Mangrobang along with reigning SEAG 2023 gold medalist Fernando Casares.
Both triathletes are vying for the 5150 race’s Olympic standard distance of 1.5-kilometer swim, 40k bike, and 10k run that covers major thoroughfares in portions of the cities of Dipolog and Dapitan.
Joining them are 21 other elite triathletes who are also vying for the P870,000 worth of cash prizes that will go to the top finishers and special awardees.
According to Sunrise Events Inc. (SEI) general manager and overall organizer Princess Galura, this is the first time that a triathlon event in the Philippines is giving out a huge amount of cash prizes which adds more prestige to it, despite being on its inaugural year.
“This weekend, there are eight races in the world, one in Korea, one in Germany, two in the United States, nakalimutan ko na yung iba. Of course, the other one is here in Dapitan with 400 triathletes from 11 countries, with the quality creme dela creme,” Galura said during a press conference that was held at the Dakak Park and Beach Resort on Saturday, September 9.
“Hindi kayo makakahanap sa buong Pilipinas nang ganitong klaseng triathlon race which recognizes the Bagong Bayani title for the triathletes.”
Adding excitement in the race on Sunday are two-time SEA Games triathlon silver medalist Andrew Kim Remolino of Cebu, rising elite triathlete Satar Salem, 5150 Bohol champions John Leerams Chicano and Erika Burgos.
Also joining in the standard distance are fellow elite triathletes Sam Corpuz, Bea Quiambao, John Ciron, Maynard Pecson, Jacob Taylor, and Cebu’s Cianyl Jamae Gonzales.
They will vie for the male and female top overall finishers who will bag a cash prize worth P175,000 each.
GO FOR GOLD CONTENDERS
Meanwhile, SEA Games 2022 women’s triathlon bronze medalist Raven Faith Alcoseba and SEA Games 2023 aquathlon mixed relay gold medalist Matthew Justine Hermosa will lead the cast in the Go For Gold sprint distance race.
The race features a fast-paced 750m swim, 20k bike, and 5k run with the champions in both the male and female categories getting P75,000 each.
The rest of the contenders include Nicole Marie Del Rosario, Karen Andrea Manayon, Gene Heart Quiambao, Enrico Burgos, Renz Wynn Corbin, John Michael Lalimos, Lord Cedric Mascariñas, Jacob Tan, and John Alcala.
The 5150 race starts at 6:20 a.m. followed by the Go For Gold Sprint at 8 a.m. / dcb
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