Dipolog City – Joseph Zachary Agolong made it to the podium as 2nd Placer in his age category and and 14th Placer in overall male category during the Ironman Bohol 5150 held on July 14, 2024.
5150 is a Triathlon Series of Ironman. The name comes from the total distance of the race equalling 51 kilometers (1.5km swim, 40km bike and 10km run). It is a series owned by the IRONMAN Group who operates a global portfolio of events that includes the IRONMAN® Triathlon Series, the IRONMAN® 70.3® Triathlon Series, 5150™ Triathlon Series, the Rock ‘n’ Roll® Running Series, IRONKIDS®, World Triathlon Championship Series, premier running events including the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon™ and City2Surf®, UTMB® World Series trail-running events including the Canyons Endurance Runs™ by UTMB®, Tarawera Ultra™ by UTMB® and Ultra-Trail Australia™ by UTMB®, Epic Series™ mountain bike races including the Absa Cape Epic®, road cycling events, and other multisport races. (source: www.ironman.com/about-ironman-group)
Agolong started his Ironman participation in 2022 in Bohol joining the Sprint. Back then, challenged by many factors, he went with Tri SND Barracuda for his out of town race through John Alcala and Rhexel May Dalinog, members TRI SND Barracuda.
He was then introduced by the group to the lead person of TRI SND Barracuda, Vice Mayor Ulwan Dimaporo, and told to work his way to become an official member of the undefeated team since 2016. He was then eventually adopted by Tri SND Barracuda for his amazing performances.
In 2023, Agolong joined Bohol 5150 again as a proud member after winning several races in Visayas and Mindanao. It was his first time to join 5150 and the Sprint challenge, and he garnered the 1st place in his category and immediately followed by his victory in the premier 5150 Dapitan in the Shrine City of Dapitan Ironman franchise.
Apart from those unprecedented placements, Agolong also placed 4th in Cebu for the Ironman Cebu 70.3 in his category. In this year’s installation, Agolong emerged in the Swim round as 1st, Bike 1st place. In the Run category he was ahead until at 4.8 kilometers he was surpassed by D. K. Canete with a 2 minute margin only. Nevertheless, Agolong ranked 14th in the Overall Men as well Overall Men & Women and is one of the 5 fastest of his TRI SND Barracuda team during that race.
He proudly represents Dapitan City and Zamboanga del Norte as well as John Alcala and Rhexel Mae Dalinog who are both very passionate sports enthusiasts and athletes from Zamboanga del Norte. Alcala, also help impressive records to include Over All Ironman Champion at the Subic IRONMAN 70.3 Philippines in 2023, 3rd Pinoy to finish the whole race and Top 12 for overall Pinoy and Foreigners in the ALVEO IRONMAN 70.3 Davao while Dalinog excel in women category during Ironman 70.3 Philippines 2022 and 5150 Bohol –Triathlon series in 2022.
Dapitan, will once again host the 5150 series with a unique blend of heritage and sports in September. Now on its 2nd year, Dapitan hopes to see more participants who will not just enjoy but also experience a unique venue offering that will set it apart from other venues- culture, arts, heritage and warmth of Dapitanon are in the forefront of this year’s 5150 event. (Angelica T. Obina)
(Source: Provincial Information Center)