Triathlon’s new PH pool faces take on veterans

MANILA, Philippines — The newest members of the Philippine triathlon and duathlon teams will see action in the kickoff leg of the 2014 National Age-Group Triathlon (NAGT) series at first light on Jan. 19 on Dungaree Beach at Subic Bay Freeport.

Jared Macalalad, Claire Adorna, Nestor Cagas, Vicky Deldeo, Justin Chiongbian, Baltazar Valencia and Nancy Papaya will test their mettle against the veterans and PH standouts in the special Elite category.

The results will determine their rankings as well as their readiness for this year’s Asian Games, Asian Beach Games and Youth Olympic Games, said Triathlon Association of the Philippines president Tom Carrasco.

Also competing in the standard-distance course—1.5-kilometer swim, 40 km bike, 10 km run—are national aces Nikko Huelgas, Jon Chicano, Kim Mangrobang, Kevin Eijansantos, Robeno Javier, Pawee Fornea, Mirasol Abad and Magali Echauz.

The race will take the Elite athletes from Dungaree Beach to Argonaut Highway (off Corregidor Island) and to Naval Magazine at Subic Freeport.

The event is sponsored by the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Tourism Department, Asian Centre for Insulation Philippines, Inc., Gatorade, Standard Insurance, Green Triathlon, Lifestyle Subic Bay and the Philippine Sports Commission.

Age-groupers 20 years and older and entries in the 16-19 bracket will tackle the sprint-distance course (750-meter swim, 20 km bike, 5 km run) while teen participants 13-16 years old will race in the mini-sprint course (350m swim, 16 km bike, 2.5 km run).

A SuperTriKids aquathlon side event will be held for 9-10 (200m swim and 400m run) and 11-12 (350m swim and 1.5 km run) kids.

Registration is ongoing until Jan. 12. Entry fees are P3,500 for standard-distance events, P3,000 for sprint distance, P2,500 for mini-sprint and P1,000 for STK aquathlon races.