Cebu ushers in Xterra off-road triathlon series

MANILA, Philippines - The Vaseline Men Xterra Off-road Triathlon Series kicks off next month with the Vaseline Men Xterra Championship Weekend in Liloan, Cebu.

At stake is the top purse of $15,000 for the professionals and P120,000 for the top Filipino finisher plus 41 slots to this year’s Xterra World Championships, considered the Olympics of triathlon, in Maui, Hawaii.

“This year’s Vaseline Men Xterra Off-road Triathlon Series is bigger and better than last year and has a tougher, more difficult course,” said Fred Uytengsu, Alaska CEO and organizing Sunrise chief in yesterday’s media launch at the Dusit Thani Hotel in Makati graced by Vaseline Men endorser Jericho Rosales.

“This is definitely not for the light-hearted,” said Uytengsu of the event set March 2-3.

The annual Sunrise-organized meet will feature a pair of triathlon events, the Xterra Lite and the Xterra Philippines Championship at a tougher, more challenging course featuring top local and foreign triathletes.

The Xterra Lite will have participants negotiate a 500-meter swim, 20-kilometer bike and 5-km run while the Xterra Phl Championship features a 1.5-km swim, 35-km bike and 10-km run race – to be held in one weekend.

Spicing up the event is the holding of a trail run, which will feature a more demanding course in 21-km, 10-km and 5-km races on March 3, both for male and female participants.

Over 300, including pros from over 40 countries, have confirmed participation in this event presented by Vaseline Men and sponsored by The Philippine STAR, LBC Solutions, Alaska, Summit Water, Multisport, Studio 23, Gatorade, Canon, Aqua Sphere, David’s Salon, Intercare, Rocktape, Timex, Smart and Municipality of Liloan, Cebu.

Ben Allen will be back to defend his crown against a strong field that will include last year’s runner-up Oliver Marceau, Dan Hugo, Sam Gardner, Matt O’Halloran, Rory Downie, Shahrom Andullah and Bradley Weiss while two-time world champ Lesley Patterson will be the marked triathlete in the women’s side.

Vaseline Men brand manager Jonathan Cua promised a bigger, better Xterra staging this year. Registration for the March 3 trail run is ongoing at www.xterraphil.com and in all Runner Stores nationwide.

“After two years, we’re happy with our partnership and we’re looking at a more exciting event this year,” said Cua.

LBC Solutions also reiterated its support to the event.

“We are very honored to sponsor this year’s Xterra triathlon event,” said LBC Solutions president Mike Camahort. “LBC, beyond services, supports the Filipino athletes and believes in the sports values of discipline, determination, endurance.”

For details, log on at www.xterraphil.com or visit www.facebook.com/vaselinemenph or interested parties may also visit ROX and Runnr stores nationwide.