Triathlon stars arrive for XTERRA series

MANILA, Philippines - Defending champion Renata Bucher, Bradley Weiss, Ben Allen, Jacqui Slack and world titlist Flora Duffy arrived in separate flights the past three days, all raring to slug it out in the XTERRA Off-Road Triathlon Series firing off Feb. 8 in Legazpi City, Albay.

Although this is the fifth XTERRA series, local triathlon enthusiasts and fans look forward to the event with so much enthusiasm and excitement, this being the first time that it will be staged in Albay with the majestic Mayon Volcano providing a stunning backdrop.

“Happy to be back in the Philippines racing the first race of the XTERRA Asia Tour. I went exploring and tested my run legs for the first time. What a privilege to be here and to be running again,” said Swiss ace Bucher who reigned in the ladies side of the event in Cebu in last year’s staging of the event organized by Sunrise Events, Inc.

The event will officially start today with athletes’ registration/race pack claiming and event expo at Albay Astrodome where sponsors and exhibitors will be giving away promos and special treats to expo visitors.

Weiss, who finished second to the now-retired Dan Hugo in Cebu, and Allen are tipped to fight it out for the men’s crown along with XTERRA protégé Mauricio Mendez, the 19-year-old Mexican out to spoil the veteran campaigners’ bid in the event staged as part of the Tourism Board of the Philippines’ “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” and “Visit the Philippines 2015” program.

“With the arrival of XTERRA Albay participants – runners, companions and organizers – the Legazpi City airport has started to look like United Nations. Albay boom, Albay tourism boom,” said Albay Gov. Joey Salceda.

Mieko Carey, Charlie Epperson and Daz Parker are also in town to make up close to 300 triathletes in the top-notch swim-bike-run event backed by official courier and logistics partner 2Go and supported by Columbia, Department of Tourism, Prudential, Finisher Pix, Garmin, Intercare, Davids, Shotz, Akari and Devant and hydration partner Coca Cola Femsa.

Held as part of the CAGSAWA Festival 2015, the XTERRA Albay will take triathletes on a route within the Mayon’s perimeter exclusive zone, testing them in the area’s tough terrains.

The 1.5k swim will start on the shores of Lidong in Mayon Rivera while the 35k bike stage will be a single loop point to point race passing through fire roads, grass lands, and sand and rocky trails. The finishing 10k run will follow Mayon’s ATV trail featuring sandy and rocky areas, river bed and grass lands.

The finish line inside the Cagsawa Ruins Heritage Park also offers a magnificent view of the perfect-coned volcano as well as the ruins of a town that for over two centuries has become the symbol of man’s resilience to nature’s forces.

Meanwhile, trophies and finisher’s medals made out of lava rocks from Mayon Volcano are handcrafted by one Albayanon while Sen. Pia Cayetano and celebrities Matteo Guidicelli, Ryan Agoncillo and Paul Jake Castillo are also competing to spice up the event backed by media partners ABS CBN Sports+Action and The Philippine Star.