THE inaugural Regent 5i50 Triathlon on June 7 will lured a crack international field vying for top honors in Subic Bay.
Sunrise Event Inc. CEO Fred Uytengsu vowed the race will be appealing both for top triathletes with a penchant for challenging short-distance races as well as novice athletes.
The pro elites are led by Aussies Casey Munro, Justin Granger, Clayton Fettell, Belinda Granger, Dimity Lee-Duke and Carole Fuchs of Thailand - most of whom will also be competing in the Cobra Ironman 70.3 in Cebu next August.
Leading the local elite contingent are Banjo Norte, Jenny Rose Guerrero, LC Langit and celebrities Kim Atienza, Matteo Guidicelli, Victor Basa, Isabelle Daza and Onemig Bondoc.
During a press conference at the Dusit Thani Hotel on Wednesday afternoon, Uytengsu said the race marks a return to the Subic Bay Boardwalk “where it all began” as the starting point of the 1.5km swim.
The first transition takes the 40km bike stage to Subic International Airport and back to Remy Field for Transition 2 and a “spectator friendly” 10km run.
Another innovation in the June event will be a rolling start for the male, female, age group and relay races.
Pro elite entries will vie for the top five slots with total cash prizes amounting to US$10,000. Filipino elite in the Top 3 will be awarded P60,000 for first, P30,000 second and P10,000 for third.
SBMA director Raul Mercado assured participants that the water in the former US Navy base is safe for swimming amid concern of pollution from nearby Olongapo City.
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