Everything is set for two international triathlon events in Legazpi City in Albay this week with close to 600 entries from 11 countries participating.
The first event is the Mt. Mayon ASTC Paratriathlon Asian Championships set on Friday (Aug. 10), with 25 entries coming from five countries and the Philippine campaign to be bannered by blind twins Jerome and Joshua Nelmida in the visually impaired category and Cebu-based Alex Silverio in the PTS 4 men’s division.
This will be preceded by the age-group competition that has attracted more than 400 entries. Both categories will do a 750m. swim – 20K bike-5K run distance.
The second race will be a standard 1,500m. swim-40K bike on Sunday (Aug. 12) for the men’s and women’s elite where, 10 countries are represented with John Chicano, Nikko Huelgas, Mark Hosana, and Julius Constantino bannering the local charge in the men’s side and the duo of Kim Kilgroe and SEA Games medalist Claire Adorna at the helm in the distaff side.
Both events will earn points for the top finishers in their quest for slots in the Tokyo Olympics and the Paralympics that will follow the regular games.
“We are looking forward to welcoming all the participants in our city. This is the first time for us to host a paratriathlon event, while it is our fifth time already for the Mt. Mayon Triathlon, the last two years as an Asian Cup race. We take pride in saying this is one of the most scenic triathlon races in the country starting with the clear waters of Albay Gulf in the swim leg and majestic Mt. Mayon as a background for the bike and run legs,” said Legazpi City Mayor Noel Rosal, who looks at sports tourism as a major program of his administration.
“We are thankful to Legazpi City for its continuous support for triathlon and even adding the Asian Paratriathlon Championships this year to the regular Mt. Mayon triathlon. This is definitely a good opportunity for us to create more awareness for paratriathlon and we hope to build from our gains here in the future,” said Triathlon Association of the Philippines President Tom Carrasco Jr.
Participating countries in both events aside from host Philippines are Japan, which has the biggest delegation, China, Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Macau, Hong Kong, Syria, Australia and Chinese Taipei.
Supporting the event, which is sanctioned by the Asian Triathlon Confederation, are the city government of Legazpi City, headed by Mayor Rosal, the municipalities of Bacacay with Mayor Dinky Romano and Sto. Domingo, with Mayor Herbie Aguas, and the Philippine Sports Commission.