Safeguard Active 5150 triathlon will be a ‘vacation-like’ race

SUNRISE EVENTS Inc. (SEI) is expecting a “vacation-like” race during the Safeguard Active 5150 on Nov. 8 at the pristine beaches of Panglao Island in Bohol.
Backed by the provincial government of Bohol headed by governor Edgar Chatto with the help of the mayors of Dauis and Panglao, SEI general manager Princess Galura said she is confident that the 769 participants from around 18 countries will enjoy the race that starts at the elegant Bellevue Hotel.
Galura told Cebu Daily News they are a hundred percent ready for the race.
“Unlike Cebu, where the energy and intensity is very high during the Cobra Ironman 70. Philippines, Bohol’s 5150 race is kind of a vacation-like race as  participants will surely expect a laid-back environment in the pristine white sand beaches of Panglao Island,” Galura said. “This month of the year is like the final days of the triathlon season, where most participants look to get a vacation that’s why the 5150 in Bohol is the perfect get away.”
Meanwhile, Galura said triathletes who will be competing in the 1.5-kilometer swim, 40 km bike and 10 km run race may have an added challenge waiting for them. Galura said the tide will be low on race day, which means participants may have to tackle a longer distance at the shoreline before reaching the swim area.
Other than that, Galura said the race course is perfect.
One of the pros who will be competing, Belinda Granger, is already in Panglao with her husband, Justin. They have been there since last week.  Other participants will start arriving next week.
The Bohol race will be a memorable one for Granger as it will be her last as a pro triathlete.
Joining her in the competition will be Jodie Scott of  Australia and Filipina pro triathlete Monica Torres, who topped the Cobra Ironman 70.3 Philippines’ Filipino elite category.
Cobra Ironman 70.3 Philippines female pro third placer Dimity Lee Duke and veteran pro Dan Brown, both Australians, will also be joining the race.
There will be 24 Filipino elite triathletes vying for supremacy headed by Cobra Ironman 70.3 Philippines three-time Filipino elite defending champion August Benedicto and Cebuano triathlon hotshot John Philip Dueñas.
Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) triathlon gold medalist Nikko Huelgas and Kim Mangrobang will add spice in the stacked up Filipino elite contenders together with Banjo Norte, Cebuanos Kristiane Lim, Mendel Lopez and Elona Louise Villacin. /REPORTER GLENDALE G. ROSAL