Xterra off-road triathlon fires off in Cebu

MANILA, Philippines - Around 500 participants, headed by reigning back-to-back champion Ben Allen of Australia and 30 of the world’s top pros, slug it out in a battle of will, strength and endurance in the 2014 Vaseline Men XTERRA Off-road Triathlon Series kicking off today in Liloan, Cebu.

Allen is out to retain the crown he won in the first two editions of the event considered as the world’s premier off-road triathlon that covers a grueling 1.5 kilometers of swimming in the waters of Liloan, 35 kms of mountain biking and 9.2 kms of trail running in the rough terrains of the quaint city.

“It will be our third year to host this event and we’re excited to be given a chance to host it again this year,” said Vaseline Men brand manager Jonathan Pua.

At stake are cash prizes, finisher’s medals made of Liloan ceramic by young Cebu designer Neil San Pedro, and spots in the World Championships in Maui, Hawaii.

The race will have another category aside from the Xterra Full since organizers have decided to hold a race in the Xterra Lite, a shorter course of 500-meter swim, 15.5-km mountain bike and 5-km run.

Focus, however, will be on Allen, who also won the Xterra World Tour in Saipan, Guam and New Zealand last year.

Other fancied triathletes in the fold are South African Dan Hugo, Aussie Dimitry Duke, Guam’s rookie pro Charlie Epperson, Malaysian Sharom Abndullah, and Guam’s Bradley Weiss.

Swiss Renata Buchers, who finished second in the last edition, Great Britian’s Jacqui Slack and Daz Parker, last year’s third placer, are tipped to dispute the ladies crown along with Saipan’s Mieko Carey.

The event is sponsored by Vaseline Men, The Philippine STAR, LBC Solutions, ABS-CBN, Air Asia, Aqua Sphere, Coca-Cola FEMSA Phl, David’s Salon, Devant, Department of Tourism, Intercare, Prudential Gurantee, R.O.X., Salomon, Shotz, Smart, Timex, Titay’s and the municipality of Liloan.

For details, interested participants may log on to www.XTerraphil.com, www.facebook.com/VaselineMenXTERRAPhil or you can also visit R.O.X Bonifacio High Street or R.O.X. Cebu.