TRAP lines up international, local triathlon events

MANILA, Philippines - Three international competitions and four local events spice up Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP) fourth quarter program for year 2009.

“TRAP has set 2009 as the year for developing and exposing our top athletes to local and international competitions to mold them into becoming world-class competitors. That’s why even in the last three months of the year, they will still have a hectic schedule of events,” said TRAP president Tom Carrasco Jr.

The Philippines’ hosting of the ADC highlights TRAP’s culminating events for the season.

The ADC, held Nov. 15, will be in partnership anew with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority and the Philippine Sports Commission. The PSC, under the leadership of chairman Harry Angping, has extended its all-out support to TRAP as the agency funded its year-long training camp in Subic Bay aside from providing financial assistance to delegations sent for competitions abroad.

The PSC will again provide financial support to the Asian Duathlon Championship, the second biggest event of TRAP and SMBA headed by administrator Armand Arreza this year after the successful Subic Bay International Triathlon last May.

Fifteen countries are expected to take part in the ADC, which will be held at a new venue, the Subic Bay Gateway Park located at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center.

National champions Neil Catiil and Monica Torres, as well as August Benedicto Robeno Javier and Rowel Odonio in the male and LC Langit, Kim Mangrobang and Mirasol Abad in the female division, will banner the host country as they try to outrace tough foreign rivals.

Elite race will be held at the distance of 10k run, 40k bike and 5k run while competitions will also include the sprint (5k run, 23.5k bike and 2.5k run) and youth mini-sprint (2.5k run, 12.2k bike and 2.5k run). Prior to the ADC is the staging of the ITU Technical Officials Level II Course also in Subic Bay Nov. 13-14 with officials from Malaysia, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, China, Thailand and Hong Kong to take part. Lessons learned will be put to test as the same officials will officiate in the ADC race.

Before the hosting, the country will compete in the Asian Aquathlon and Invitational Triathlon in Palembang, Indonesia and in the Hong Kong Invitational-ITU Premium Race this October.

Langit, who was sent to training in Australia and Korea the past months, will represent the country in the Indonesian camp set Oct. 10-11.

Catiil and Mangrobang, who along with Langit, are considered the country’s prospect for possible seat to the 2012 Olympic Games in triathlon, will see action in Hong Kong Oct. 17-18.