SUBIC FREEPORT—Hailed as the most gruelling half-distance triathlon in Asia, the Yellow Cab Challenge Philippines is expected to give the world’s top campaigners a tougher time when they try to conquer the 70.3-mile course this Saturday.
“Many of the world’s best (triathletes) have claimed that this is the toughest half-distance race in Asia,” said David Voth, chair of both Yellow Cab Challenge Philippines and race organizer Leverage Sports Asia.
“No doubt this old school course will put you to the test, but it is still breathtakingly beautiful,” added the co-founder of World Triathlon Corp., owner of the Ironman brand.
World champions Chris McCormack of Australia, Sweden’s Fredrik Croneberg, Austrian Christoph Schagbauer, American Brian Fleischmann, Rasmus Petraeus of Denmark, Italian Domenico Passuello, Australians Eric Watson and Michael Murphy will lead a field of about 750 participants from 30 countries vying for the top individual prize of 25,000 euros (about P1,260,000).
The field will tackle a 1.9-kilometer swim off Camayan Beach Resort, negotiate a 90 km bike course in Morong, Bataan, before finishing with a 21 km run to Ocean Adventure Park.
Female pro racers Carole Fuchs of France, Austria’s Stef Puszka, Britain’s Parys Edwards and Emma Pooley, Czech Republic’s Radka Vodickova, German Katja Rabe, American Kelly Williamson and Sweden’s Louise Rundqvist are also entered.
The local challenge will be mounted by Don Velasco, Jefferson Tabacon, Fr. Boc Nicolas, Rhoderick Guieb, Nestor Gonzales, Felipe Sajulga III, Frank Lacson, Jomer Lim and Chang Hitalia.
Event sponsors: Air21, BMW Auto, Pocari Sweat, Harbor Point, Ocean Adventure, Buma, SBMA, 2XU, The Lighthouse Resort, PLDT Subictel, Beer Below Zero, Universal Robina Corporation, +Upgrade, Silverworks, Aqua Sphere, AQATX, Zoot, Felt Bicycles, Swissstop and Subic Bay Hats.