TRAP changes setup for Asian triathlon

MANILA, Philippines - The Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP) is reorganizing its staff for the K-Swiss Subic Bay ASTC Asian Triathlon Championship which gets underway in Subic Freeport April 27.

The key personnel in the three-day event serving also as 20th Subic Bay International Triathlon (SUBIT) no longer perform multi-tasking as has been the practice the past 20 years to keep costs down – now they are either in technical management or competition management side.

“With triathlon in the country enjoying a tremendous growth, it is incumbent upon us to adopt a new tack whereby not only we provide a conducive atmosphere for the competitors to rack up personal bests but also for both the participants and sponsors to get more value for their money,“ said TRAP president and Asian Triathlon Confederation (ASTC) SVP Tom Carrasco, also the POC chairman until 2016.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority and Philippine Sports Commission have partnered with TRAP, dating back to SUBIT’s inaugurals in 1993. From the private sector, Speedo has the longest relationship with TRAP at 18 years.

K-Swiss is the title sponsor for the second of a three-year pact. In this 20th edition of SUBIT, it is giving out 20 freebies through its facebook page (K-Swiss Philippines), 20 percent to all participants, a pair of K-Swiss shoes each to the top three female and male age-group finishers in the standard distance, and shirts to all finishers.

K-Swiss also has the anchor booth of the first ever triathlon expo, along side that of Standard Insurance, Century Tuna, Speedo, David’s Salon, Asian Centre for Insulation Philippines (ACIP), Gatorade, Fitness First, Garmin, Canon and PSC, at the Rialto Ballroom of Travelers Hotel in Subic Freeport.

Harbor Point, Ayala Mall at Subic sponsors the novel race briefing for age-groupers in a prestigious mall setting. It is the venue, as well, of the April 27 Canon Photo Eskwela – a photography workshop for family members and triathlon spectators who are budding photographers, enthusiasts and hobbyists.

Canon holds a photo contest for the Photo Eskwela participants with the theme revolving around the April 28 age-group competitions of the K-Swiss Subic Bay ASTC Asian Triathlon Championships.

Upscale Lighthouse Marina Resort is the official residence of the ASTC 2013 congress and executive board meeting on April 26 with Garmin as the official timer.

“We aim to have the sponsors develop synergy among themselves as we strengthen the triathlon brand,” said Sarita Zafra, TRAP’s marketing head.

 Paratriathletes hog the limelight on the third day of action in the continental bash.