Maiden Mantalongon Off-Road duathlon this pm

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu’s reigning triathlon queen Rochelle Tan and Elmo Clarabal spearhead the list of title favorites in the first Mantalongon Off-Road Duathlon this afternoon starting at the Mantalongon National High School in the municipality of Dalaguete south of Cebu.

Mayor Ronald Cesante will be on hand to fire the starting gun.

Aside from pouring in all that she learned from the Subic International Triathlon last week, Tan will also showcase her wares in mountainbiking and trail running.

Minus the swimming part this time, it will be interesting to see that Tan will go up against Lovelineil Casidsid anew in an off-road event after their paths crossed during the Xterra Philippines Off-Road Triathlon Championships last March 18 in Liloan.

Aside from Tan and Clarabal, the other top athletes to watch out for are the power couple Noy and Amale Jopson.

A bunch of veteran and upcoming triathletes, runners and cyclists are also counted in to take part in the event.

The age-group categories to be contested include the 19-under, 20-29, 40-49, 50-above and the women’s open.

The challenge involves a 3K run followed by a 15K bike and another 6K run. — (FREEMAN)