SAMAL – Eryk Omandam and Natasha Doromal-Lim return to Samal Island on Sunday chasing back-to-back titles, but the defending champions will have to navigate a deeper and more competitive field as the Damosa Land 5150 brings the inaugural 5150 Triathlon Islands of the Philippines Series to a climactic finish.
The Davao del Norte staging marks the fourth and final stop of the seven-month circuit, which has taken Olympic-distance triathlon to four of the country’s premier island destinations and showcased the Philippines as a compelling stage for world-class multisport competition.
Tourism push
The 1.5km swim, 40km bike and 10km run event caps a series put together by the Philippine Sports Commission, with elite-level competition at its core but with an equally important mission: bringing high-caliber sporting events to spectacular natural destinations across the country.
From the waters and coastlines of Guimaras to the challenging terrain of Camiguin and the scenic roads of Bohol, the series has combined endurance racing with the sights, communities and character of each host destination.
The circuit, organized by Sunrise Events, Inc., also serves as a central pillar of the National Sports Tourism-Inter Agency Council’s program to position the Philippines as a premier destination for world-class sporting events.
Now, the spotlight shifts to Samal, where hundreds of athletes are set for another race to remember – and another opportunity to experience the island’s smooth highways, white-sand beaches, clear waters and vibrant communities.
Samal is hosting the 5150 for the second straight year after a successful debut last year, when Omandam and Doromal-Lim emerged as the overall champions. This time, however, both will face a souped-up field featuring seasoned endurance campaigners and rising stars from Davao City, Cagayan de Oro, Bacolod, Tagum, Kidapawan, Digos, Mati City, Manila, Pagadian, Cebu and Metro Manila, among other areas.
For Omandam and Doromal-Lim, the challenge is straightforward but demanding – repeat as champions while helping give the inaugural island series a memorable finale.
For the hundreds of other participants, Samal offers a chance to measure their preparation against a course that combines open-water swimming, fast stretches of highway and a run through an island community known for its natural beauty.
Adding an entry point for newcomers is the Sunrise Sprint, featuring a 750m swim, 20km bike and 5km run. The shorter format is designed for first-timers and recreational athletes looking to experience multisport racing, while relay competitions in the men’s, women’s and mixed divisions of both the Damosa Land 5150 and Sunrise Sprint are expected to bring some of the country’s leading triathlon clubs into the action.
The racing program begins Sunday with the Sunrise Sprint rolling start at 5:40 a.m. at Bridgesport by Damosa Land, followed by the 5150 age-group and relay races at 6:20 a.m. The swim cutoff is one hour, with bike and run cutoffs at three and five hours, respectively.
Damosa Land, Inc. president Cary Lagdameo said the event is part of a broader effort to draw attention to Samal’s potential as a tourism and sports destination, with sustained collaboration needed to build on the momentum generated by events such as the 5150.
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