Columbia Trail Masters duathlon up

MANILA, Philippines - To encourage more Filipinos to do active and outdoor lifestyle, Columbia Sportswear is launching its Columbia Trail Masters duathlon series on May 20 at the Nuvali eco community in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.

“The Columbia Trail Masters duathlon series is our way of urging more Filipinos to engage in exciting and challenging outdoor sports,” said Tiffany Batungbacal, Columbia brand manager, in yesterday’s PSA forum at the Shakey’s UN Avenue branch in Manila.

“This event is also part of our company’s commitment in raising public awareness of the benefits of fit and healthy living and in line with Columbia’s ‘Welcome to the Greater Outdoors’ campaign,” Batungbacal said.

“We want more of our city folk to be exposed, witness and appreciate our beautiful countryside, and this duathlon series is our means of doing it,” she added.

Not too far from Metro Manila, Nuvali, a 1,700-hectare Ayala-developed property with its rolling terrain and picturesque landscape, is an ideal kick-off site for the Columbia-sponsored duathlons, the Columbia brand manager said.

“We aim to take the Columbia Trail Masters duathlon series in various provinces throughout the country,” Batungbacal said.

On the other hand, race director Thumbie Remigio announced that the run-bike-run competition is open to both men’s and women’s age group categories with a total cash pot of P200,000 up for grabs plus Columbia premium products for the winners.

The men’s division will be in the 16-23-year-old, 24 to 31, 32 to 39, 40 to 48, 49-above, while the women’s division will be in the 16 to 23, 24 to 31, 32 to 39 and 40-above classes, Remigio said.