3rd Hunat Sugbu Triathlon revs off in Argao this p.m.

CEBU, Philippines - Hundreds of triathletes return to the municipality of Argao south of Cebu for the third edition of the Hunat Sugbu Triathlon this afternoon starting at the town's unity plaza.

The three-in-one race features the standard and sprint distance. Aside from relay, there will also be a team competition.

To be contested for the first time in the annual race spearheaded by Cebu Parklane International Hotel, the 'Team Challenge' draws seven contenders in Tri Lasang, WS Tri, Metafit, Omega Pro, Repro Optima, Tri Liloan, and Ford Forza.

They will compete under a unique format. Each team may have unlimited members with at least one female, which is mandatory. Only the time of the top five finishers will determine the standings of each team. The aggregate time will be taken from the team's fastest female and the top four male finishers.

Only the top three fastest teams will be awarded, with the champion taking home P10,000 and the second and third getting P7,000 and P5,000, respectively plus trophies.

On the other hand,  Kristiane Glendale Lim, former Parklane top triathlete who is now with Alaska Tri-Aspire, is the top triathlete to beat in the standard distance.

The other notable participants are Xterra pro Joseph Miller, Welmar Saavedra and Jeffrey Codino of Omega Pro, and Jorry Icong of Repro Optima.

    Cianyl Gonzalez leads the cast of top contenders in the distaff side.

In the sprint race, national junior pool members Aaliyah Mataragnon, Issa Priagula, Shaia Uy and Ralph So are tipped as title favorites.

In the relay, close to 20 teams are  seeing action. These include Parklane Tri Team, Floijess, Infinitea, Metafit, One Hit Wonder, Ply Team, Sagidlay, Tri-Liloan, Tri MAC, TriSensei, Univille and Xtream White.

Before the race proper at 1 p.m., the participants and other interested individuals are invited to a dragonboat clinic and Zumba party in the morning at Argao Royal Psalms.— (FREEMAN)