Calinawan, Fernandez eye triathlon titles in Pampanga

The SPEEDO-National Age Group Triathlon (NAGT) 2005 overall titlist Gerrie Calinawan and teenager Dec Rowan Fernandez are two of the top Cebuano triathletes who are set to compete in the upcoming Lakeshore National Triathlon Championships on February 5 at The Lakeshore in Mexico, Pampanga.

Calinawan will be competing in two classes namely the elite and under-23 categories.

A cash prize of P25,000 is up for the male elite division and P3,000 is at stake in the under-23 class.

Fernandez, on the other hand, is set to compete in the junior sprint, eyeing for a rematch with arch rival and reigning junior champion Joash Serrano.

The upcoming NTC will feature an Olympic distance race composing of 1.5 km lake swim, 40 km road cycling and 10 km road run both in the individual and relay contest and the sprint event covers 750m swim, 20km road cycling and 5km run.

The other categories in the Olympic distance race include the female elite, female under-23, the men's 24-29,30-34,35-39,40-44,45-49,50-54,55-59,60 years old and over and the distaff side with the 24-29,30-39,and 40 years-old and over and the relays.

The sprint contest will have the male and female 15-under, 19-under, 20-29 and 30 years old and over, open and inter-school relay.

Calinawan and Fernandez's bid in the NTC, however, will not be easy, as they need to negotiate a triangular swim route at the right side of the island of the calm and refreshing waters of the 12-hectare The Lakeshore lagoon.

They will then go in the flat and smooth roads, making it a fast-paced action and then run around the lagoon perimeter.

More information about the race can be seen at the TRAP official website, www.triathlon.org.ph or contact Fabie at 0916-265-3109.