THE heat plays a major role in determining the winner of the 5150 Dapitan Philippines despite a fast course set for the event on Sunday in Zamboanga del Norte.
Hosting the 1.5-kilometer swim, 40-km bike and 10-km run event for the first time, Dapitan City set a course that provides both the seasoned and upcoming campaigners, including 10 foreigners, a new triathlon experience.
“The race course is a fast one,” race director Neville Manaois. “The swim will be clear and easy to navigate, the bike leg is a 2-loop fast route with some hills at the far turnaround and the run part will be two loops and very fast that would also take runners in historic areas.”
He added that their meticulous planning ensures every athlete’s safety, enjoyment and a race course that is historic.
“It’s different from Subic since its less industrial and less busy. It’s a city course that passes through communities and offices,” Manaois said. “It will be fast like Bohol but Dapitan passes more in local communities, adding to the warmth and charm of the race.”
John Alcala top-bills the merry mix of bidders, both in the overall and in his age-group category (30-34), with the Dipolog City ace seeking to match his stirring triumph in the inaugural Ironman 70.3 Puerto Princesa in Palawan late last year.
He also won the 5150 Subic last June, thus making him the “hunted” from among the talent-laden cast that includes former Bohol 5150 champion Satar Salem, former Southeast Asian Games gold medalist Fernando Casares, Andrew Remolino, a two-time SEA Games silver medal winner, Jailani Lamama and Jonathan Pagaura.
Manaois also expects the battle for top honors to be furious and exacting given the weather conditions in the Olympic-distance race.
“We expect it to be hot, which will add further challenge to the course,” said Manaois.
For details, log on to www.ironman.com/5150-dapitan-philippines-register.
Also up for grabs are titles in the 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64 and 65-69 in both the men’s and women’s divisions of the event organized by the Ironman Group/Sunrise Events, Inc. and backed by Lungsod ng Dapitan, Go for Gold, Active, Rudy Project and Santé.
Also expected to generate interest is the Go for Gold Sunrise Sprint, set over the 750-meter open water swim, 20-km bike ride and 5-km run distance. It features beginners and upcoming triathletes wanting to get a feel of tri-racing and designed for athletes looking to make a comeback in the sport.
The Noli Run, a 3-km fun run, will usher the event on Saturday.