CEBU, Philippines - Some of the world's top triathletes are already in the Queen City of the South for the first ever XTERRA Philippines Triathlon Championships slated this Sunday at the picturesque Amara Subdivision in Brgy. Catarman, Liloan, Cebu.
The early birds include professional triathletes Renata Butcher of Switzerland, Sam Gardner of United Kingdom, Shonny Vanlandingham of the United States, Janet Clark and Carina Wasle of Austria.
Aside from the professional triathletes, several other foreign participants are also now in town to acclimatize with the weather and familiarize with the rugged terrains that will be the centerpiece of this Sunday's unique, breathtaking and spine-tingling event.
Among them are Canada’s Dan Smith, who will compete in the men 45-49 age bracket and Lance Waton in the 40-44 category.
Twenty foreigners out of the 81 confirmed entries will see action in one of the most challenging off-road races on earth spearheaded by Sunrise Events of Wilfred Steven Uytengsu, Jr., the president and CEO of Alaska Milk Corporation.
The grueling but very exciting spectacle features 1.5km swim, 30km bike and 10km run.
XTERRA starts with the swim through two loops of the 1.5 kilometer course in the sea near the 100-year old Liloan Lighthouse that beams a guiding light faithfully every night protecting seafarers of the Camotes Sea.
It is followed by a mountain bicycle segment which will traverse a 32 kilometer loop twice with a breathtaking view of the Camotes Sea on the eastern side of the course. It ends with the run portion of the race traveling a 10 kilometer loop near the San Fernando Rey Parish Church.
A total of USD 15,000 cash prize will be at stake for the professional placers, while P120,000 is up for grabs for the top three Filipino elite finishers in both male and female divisions.
More to it, top performers in the age-group level will be given a chance to compete in the XTERRA World Championships set on October 23 in Makena, Maui.
Aside from the Philippines, Xterra also holds championship events in Saipan, New Zealand, South Africa, the Czech Republic, Italy, Austria, Brazil, Japan, Spain and Germany. Top-ranking athletes from these national championships are invited to compete at the Xterra World Championship with athletes who qualified in the U.S. series.
Sponsors are Alaska Milk Corporation, Clear Shampoo, Timex, Prudential Guarantee, Multisport, Solar TV, Oakley, Gatorade and Crimson Hotel. (FREEMAN)