Nat’l duathlon to select pool for 2019 SEA Games

MANILA, Philippines — With the strong prospect of duathlon being included in the 2019 Manila Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games), the triathlon association has embarked on a long selection process for the national team starting with the National Duathlon set Nov. 12 at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

Organized by the Triathlon Association of the Philippines in partnership with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, the race will have a Standard Distance course of 10K run-40K bike-5K run for the Elite and age-groupers. The Sprint Distance (5K run-20K bike-2.5 K run) is open to 16-19 and 20-above. Remy Field will serve as main venue while the bike legs will cover stretches of Rizal Ave., Argonaut Highway and the National Container Terminal road.

At stake in the event sponsored by SBMA Tourism Department, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), Standard Insurance, Gatorade and Asian Center for Insulation are medals as well as gift packs for the Top 3 male and female age-group winners and Top 3 male and female winners for Sprint 16-19 and 20-above categories. Also at stake are qualifying slots in the developmental pool of the Philippine Team for new and upcoming talents.

Fancied to contend in this year’s edition are Jarwyn Banatao, Emmanuel Comendador, 2017 SEA Games triathlon silver medalist John Chicano, Joey delos Reyes and Carlo Pedregosa. For the women, two Philippine Air Force WACs Mirasol Abad and Miscelle Gilbuena are major contenders.

Banatao is the NDC defending champion while Comendador is the 2017 ASTC Asian Middle Distance Duathlon champion.  Gilbuena ruled the women’s elite in the recently held Powerman Pilipinas, while sprint distance champion Jelsie Sabado aims to defend her title.

Registration is ongoing until Oct. 31 with entry fees of P2,500 for Standard Distance and P2,000 for Sprint Distance.

TRAP-registered athletes are entitled to 10 percent discount while students and senior citizens with valid IDs can avail of 20 percent discount. Participants registering online can pay their entry fees via TRAP’s PNB (C/A No. 1002-3310-0013) and Bank of Commerce (C/A No. 066-000011755) bank accounts.

Participants are advised to be at the Subic Holiday Villas on Nov. 11 for the release of their race packets and timing chips (10 a.m.-6 p.m.), bike check and uniform check for Elite participants (2:30-4 p.m.), Elite race briefing (4:30 p.m.) and age-group race briefing (5-5:30 p.m.).