MANILA, Philippines - The Vaseline Men Xterra Off-Road Triathlon Series gets going this weekend in Cebu with some of the world’s leading triathletes and top local bets vying for berths in the world tilt in Hawaii.
Four-time Xterra European Tour champion Renata Bucher of Switzerland head the elite roster that includes three-time Xterra European Tour winner Oliver Marceau, also of Switzerland, 2011 Xterra South Africa titlist Carina Wasle of Austria, 2011 Xterra Brazil champion Ben Allen of Australia and 2008 ITU World Cup Subic Bay champion Matt O’Halloran of Canada.
Three-time National Open champion, two-time SEA Games medalist and 15-time Ironman finisher Arland Macasieb is tipped to lead the country’s bid in the event firing off Saturday.
The event serves as a qualifier to the highly-competitive Xterra World Championship in Oahu and Maui, Hawaii.
Also in the fold are 2011 Xterra Mexico Championship third placer Will Kelsay of the US, 2011 Xterra European Tour Championship veteran Cedric Lassondre of France, 2011 Xterra Saipan Championship runner-up Takahiro Ogasawara of Japan, 2011 Xterra Philippines Championship fourth placer Darrelle Parker of the UK, 2011 Xterra Mexico Championship second placer Branden Rakita of the USA, 2011 Xterra Italy Championship fourth placer Jacqui Slack of the UK and 2011 Xterra European Tour Championship 10th placer Graham Wadsworth of the UK.
The event features 2K, 10K and 5K categories with the top age group finishers for the 21k trail gaining berths in the Xterra Trail Run World Championships slated in Oahu, Hawaii this year.
Capping off the weekend are the Xterra Lite, a 500m swim, 30km bike and 5km run event, and the Xterra Philippines Championship, which features 1.5km swim, 30km bike and 10km run.
Meanwhile, the Vaseline Men Xterra Off-Road Triathlon Series will be held Nov. 18 in Clark, Pampanga for the Putik Pare leg, a duathlon relay involving a trail run and mountain bike.
The Vaseline Men Xterra Off-Road Triathlon Series is sponsored by Alaska, Timex, Gatorade, Summit Water, David’s Salon, LBC, AirPhil Express, Prudential Guarantee, 2XU, Dusit Thani Manila and media partners The Philippine Star, Multisport, SBR and Studio 23.