TRAP seeks larger SUBIT next year

MANILA, Philippines - The Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP) is not resting on its laurels after the successful staging of the 18th ITU-K-Swiss Subic Bay International Triathlon recently at the Subic Bay Freeport.

TRAP president Tom Carrasco Jr. has given this assurance and this early, plans are afoot to make the signature event of triathlon in the Philippines better for next year.

“SUBIT next year will be bigger and better,” said Carrasco as he glossed over the stats of the recently held event, which netted 732 registrants, a big improvement from the 670 who competed in 2010.

“We will sharpen our organizational capabilities to maintain our world-class status and render services as demanded by our clients, the participants, sponsors and the public,” added Carrasco.

Nineteen countries saw action this year in the event, which had the blessings of the International Triathlon Union (ITU) and Asian Triathlon Confederation (ASTC).

Swiss Reto Hug and Australian Natalie Van Coevorden stood out among the competitors as they won the male and female elite titles.

The Filipino triathletes were not to be left behind as Philip Jurolan bagged the silver medal in the Junior Elite Male while 14-year-old bets Gabriel Allen Santiago and Magali Bernasconi Echauz topped the 13-15 mini sprint, making them strong contenders as the country’s representative to the 2014 Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, China.

Fitness First Body Combat also made a historic feat by claiming the team title for the fourth consecutive time over Yellow Cab-Tri Clark David’s at Herbalife Team I.

“TRAP will stick to its mandate as an NSA that is to develop the sports for general good and well being of the Filipinos in sports as well as to develop the national team members to achieve world-class standard and who knows, win the first Olympic gold medal,” said Carrasco.

The event’s chief supporters are   K-Swiss, SPEEDO, TIMEX, Fitness First, Century Tuna, David Salon, Asian Centre for Insulation as well as the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA).