Timex 226 triathlon offers tough challenge in Bohol

MANILA, Philippines - The first Timex 226 Bohol Iron Distance Triathlon will be held Dec. 3-4 with the fight for top honors expected to be fierce in the lung-busting 3.8-km swim, 180-km bike and 42-km marathon run event.

The Timex 226 triathlon comes on the heels of Bohol’s successful hosting of the two-day Tour of Bohol last month with the paradise island guaranteeing a more exciting, tougher competition in the upcoming event set to test the field’s strength, stamina and endurance.

But what makes the event doubly interesting is the triathletes would be able to see for themselves the scenic beauty of Bohol since the swim leg will be held at Anda, which takes pride of its immaculate blue water.

The bike leg will pass through the coast of Jagna to the charming view of rice terraces and mangrove forest of Candijay while the run will start from Guindulman back to Anda.

“More than its natural beauty that includes the famed Chocolate Hills and the crystalline beaches at Panglao, Bohol is also a place rich in culture and history. This early, we are already assuring everybody that this will be an annual event,” said third District of Bohol Rep. Arthur Yap, who heads the local organizing committee.

Bike King, headed by its president Raul Cuevas, is the lead organizer of the event in cooperation with Timex, Explore Bohol, K-Swiss, Unilab Active Health, Gu Energy Gel, Amun Ini Resort & Spa, Pocari Sweat, Aboitiz Power and Bike King.

Summit Media, Balls TV, The Philippine STAR and SBR are the event’s media partners.

This is the third time a triathlon event of this distance will be held in the country with the first held in 2002 in a foreign-laced race staged at Matabungkay with Nonoy Jopson and Ani Karina De Leon-Brown emerging as top Filipino finishers.

This year’s staging however is open to seasoned long distance triathletes with the organizers deciding to limit the number of entries to ensure their safety and satisfaction.

Heading the early roster in the male open are Neil Catiil of Timex TMM, August Benedicto of PMI, Joevic Pajarillo of Laguna Lake Tri Team, Fo Check Siang and Christopher McFaul of Singapore, Faivo Bartolome of Tri North, Melvin Pangan of Endure, Gregie Pamakid of Tri Minda, Joey Torres and Guy Concepcion of Polo Tri, Albino Alindogan of Team David’s Solon and Juan Jose Bonin of Triathlon Association from the Island of Negros (TRAIN).

Ting Joson of Bike King, Laarni De Guzman and Janice Tanada of Timex TMM banner the female competitors.