SBMA, TRAP gear up for Asian triathlon

THE TRIATHLON Association of the Philippines (TRAP) and Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) celebrate  their 20-year partnership by staging the 2013 Asian Triathlon Championships on April 27 to 29 at Subic Bay Freeport.

Another strong field led by Japanese triathletes are expected to compete in the 1.5K swim-40K bike-10K run Olympic distance of the race also dubbed as the 20th K-Swiss Subic Bay Triathlon (Subit).

“SBMA’s choice of the Subic International Triathlon as an anchor event has been proven wise,” said SBMA deputy administrator Raul Marcelo. “It’s part of the Freeport thrust to become an international sports hub.”

Also expected to join the celebration  are some of the sport’s top regional officials led by International Triathlon Union (ITU) sports director Gergely Markus, Asian Triathlon Confederation’s (ASTC) president Yu Kyung Sun, secretary general Balwant Singh Kler and treasurer David Hoong.

“We are very thankful that SBMA has been very supportive to TRAP through the years,” said Tom Carrasco, TRAP president.

Some of the race’s past champions include Hong Kong’s Daniel Lee Chi Woo, Australia’s Melissa Ashton, Kazakhstan’s Dimitry Gaag, United Kingdom’s Chrissie Wellington and Nicole Hackett and Japan’s Yuichi Hosoda, Akiko Sekine, Takumi Obara and Mariko Yamazaki.  Jasmine W. Payo