Subic triathlon fires off April 30

MANILA, Philippines - The 2011 K-Swiss Subic Bay International Triathlon (SUBIT) promises to be the most well-attended edition as entries have breached the 600-mark with still two weeks to go before the race unfolds at the Subic Bay Freeport.

Now on its 18th year, the longest running international triathlon event in the country will be held April 30-May 1 with triathletes to compete in the Elite Open, Elite Under-23, Junior Elite (16-19), Adult and Mini-Sprint (13-15) and Relay Team competition.

Organized by the Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP) in cooperation with Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) with K-Swiss as its presenter, this year’s edition aims to break the 680 triathletes from 23 countries that took part last year.

Top foreign triathletes are to see action anew as the race sanctioned by the International Triathlon Union (ITU) and the Asian Triathlon Confederation (ASTC) will again be a part of the Asian Cup series.

Foreigners who have signed up came from Japan, New Zealand, Australia, Bermuda, USA, Austria, Chinese Taipei, Ireland, Israel, Hungary, and Malta while Thailand, China, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore and Hong Kong are also expected to send their representatives being a regular fixture of this event.

With Speedo, David’s Salon, Century Tuna, Asian Centre for Insulation Philippines, Gatorade, Fitness First, TIMEX, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) backing the event, SUBIT will also be promoting environmental awareness. and conservation through TRAP’s Green Triathlon Initiative launched this January.

While action will be centered on the elite, also expected to gain attention is the relay team competition with Fitness First out to regain its old title from defending champion MultiSports.

“The expected big field will surely toughen up the competition making this year’s staging more exciting. This will also bring added challenge to the locals who will try and give their best against the foreign rivals,” said TRAP president Tom Carrasco Jr.

LC Langit, who won the Asian Aquathlon title held recently in Thailand will be the country’s top bet to shine as she is out to improve on her fourth place overall finish last year.

A total of $5,500 in prize money is at stake with champions in the Open Elite to receive $750 each while triathletes who could submit the best swim, bike and run splits will gain additional $100 as cash incentives to be awarded by TIMEX.

The race will begin at the Dungaree Beach and ends at the Waterfront Road, Central Business District with Alan Ma of Macao as ASTC technical delegate and Daniel Sng of Singapore as race referee.