Olongapo athletes bring home gold, silver medals in SEA games

Three Olongapo athletes shone and brought pride to the city during the recently finished South East Asian Games held in Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia.

Samuel “Butch’ Morrison, a native of Barangay Sta. Rita in this city, kicked his way to the finals to take home the gold in the Men’s Taekwando, while Eric Cray raced his way to take the gold in the 400-meter hurdles and also took the silver in the 100-meter event. Joining the two Batang Gapo is John Leerams Chicano, a known triathlete in the city, who finished the tri-event with a silver medal.

Olongapo city Mayor Rolen Paulino, who is known for his love of sports, have setup up several grassroots programs for local athletes and a yearly free sports clinic ranging from basketball, volleyball and athletics, to gymnastics, taekwando, boxing, swimming and other sports disciplines. His support for athletes competing in the regional, national and international levels has been all out.

The Philippines ended its SEA Games stint with 24 Golds, 33 Silvers and 64 Bronzes.

Meanwhile, another young athlete was awarded two gold medals in the recently concluded 11th World Taekwando Expo held at Taekwandowon Muju in Saouth Korea. Akian Manalad Tuzon, an 8-year-old student from Quiz Bee School also took home cash prize.

Half of his winning cash prize and other assorted sports goods wer donated to the city by the family.

“We are glad and happy that the city fully supports our young athletes and as a gesture to that, we decided to donate 20,000 pesos and other sportswear to the city so these can be used to further support our sport community,” Normal Tuazon, father of Akian, said.

/Olongapo City Public Affairs

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PHL’s first full-distance Ironman event to happen in Subic Bay

It’s official! Ironman’s full distance triathlon is happening here in Subic Bay.

The Century Tuna IRONMAN Philippines triathlon, the country’s first-ever full distance IRONMAN race, will take place here in June next year in celebration of the decade-long presence in the Philippines of the popular endurance race.

The full distance Ironman race will be a special edition for one year only to mark the tenth anniversary since the first IRONMAN 70.3 event took place in Camarines Sur in 2009, said Wilfred Steven Uytengsu, founder of Sunrise Events, which owns and organizes IRONMAN races in the country.

The event was jointly announced the other day in Manila and in Tampa, Florida as the latest addition to the IRONMAN series that has grown to become a global sensation with more than 200 events across 50 countries.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) administrator and chief executive officer Wilma T. Eisma said that the SBMA takes pride in the fact that the Subic Bay Freeport has become a favorite destination for races and sports events that require a combination of superb natural environment, challenging but beautiful courses and modern facilities for both the players and their families.

Organizers said that next year’s Century Tuna IRONMAN Philippines will aim to build upon the successes of the Century Tuna IRONMAN 70.3 Subic Bay and provide athletes with a challenging, yet beautiful course to tackle.

For the full distance race, athletes will begin their IRONMAN journey with a one-loop, 3.8-km swim in the calm, pristine waters of Triboa Bay, starting and finishing at ACEA Resort, which will also play host to the first of the split transition areas.

Once onto their bikes, athletes will head out of Subic and onto the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) for a fast and flat two-loop, 180-km ride, which will bring riders back into transition 2 at the Remy Field here.

Then the 42.2-km, two-loop marathon run will be the last leg, taking the participants along some of the best coastal views that Subic has to offer. (MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:

A scene from the Century Tuna IRONMAN held in March this year at the Subic Bay Freeport (photo from http://ap.ironman.com)

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Betten beats ’em all again for 3-peat in Regent 5150

Subic Bay Freeport - Sam Betten came through with a hot performance on a cold, rainy Sunday to complete a golden treble in the Regent 5150 Triathlon here.

Pouncing on the relatively cooler conditions on a turf he’s familiar with, Betten left his challengers playing catch-up throughout the 1.5K swim, 40K bike, 10K run and reached home unmolested for his milestone three-peat.

Sam Betten winning his third Regent 5i50 title (photo from Regent 5i50 Facebook page)

Betten covered the wet course in 1:55:58, checking in nearly five minutes ahead of compatriot Mitch Robins (2:00:27), who settled for No 2 again. American Iain Alexandrinis (2:01:46) took third.

“I’ve never won a race three times in a row and to come here and do that, it’s pretty amazing,” said Betten, getting a loving hug from girlfriend Rebecca Ohlwein after crossing the finish line.

The 6-foot-4 Betten emerged from the waters of Acea Beach after 19 minutes, 57 seconds with Robins (21:30) and Alexandrinis (21:34) on his wake. Notwithstanding the rains that made the roads slippery, the Aussie out-pedaled his rivals and even added two minutes to his lead as they headed into the culminating run towards Remy Field.

“I felt really good out there. The heat wasn’t too bad so I didn’t have to push quite hard (than usual), which was really advantageous to me. If it were really, really hot, it would have been a different story,” said Betten, who’s developed a fondness for Subic, where he’s raced five times overall.

“Subic Bay is one of my favorite places in the world to come race in. I was lucky this year I was able to bring my girlfriend along to watch the race and enjoy Subic. For me, this is such a great triathlon location and it’s a dream come true to be able to dominate for three years in a row,” he said. (Olmin Leyba, Philippine Star)

Read more: http://www.philstar.com/sports/2017/06/05/1706859/betten-beats-em-all-again-3-peat-regent-5150

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Huge field gears up for Regent 5150 in Subic Bay

Organizers of the Regent 5150 Triathlon brace for a record field clashing for top honors in the local version of the world’s largest Olympic distance triathlon series, which stages its third edition on June 4 in Subic Bay.

Six hundred forty entries have so far entered in the main event while around 300 have registered for the side event Sunrise Sprint, a short distance race series put up by the organizing Sunrise Events, Inc. last year, with the roster expected to swell 10 days before the event.

For details and listup, visit regent.5150philippines.com.

Sam Betten headlines the elite field in the men’s pro division with the top 6-4 Australian triathlete gunning for a three-peat against the likes of fellow Aussies and veterans Ben Allen, the 2016 Australian ITU Cross Triathlon champion and a former XTERRA As-Pac titlist, Mitch Robins and Dan Brown.

American Iain Alexandridis, a consistent top 10 Ironman 70.3 finisher, is also in the hunt in the 1.5k swim, 40k bike and 10k run event sponsoored by the country’s leading snack manufacturing company.

Focus will also be on the women’s pro side with veteran campaigner and be-medalled triathlete Dimity-Lee Duke, also of Australia, Hungarian Anna Eberhardt, and Kerry Mulholland and Annelies Jeffries, also both from Down Under, disputing the crown won by absentee Amelia Watkinson of New Zealand last year.

The event will also feature the Alaska Ironkids Philippines, featuring the country’s future triathlon stars on June 3 at the WOW Recreation and Activity Center/Remy Field.

Inspired by its successful inaugural last year, the Sunrise Sprint, a 750m swim, a 20k bike and a 5k run, will again be held for beginners wanting to immerse themselves into triathlon racing, a tri warrior who has been off the circuit and out to make a comeback or simply a triathlon enthusiast.

Backers of the event are Dept. of Tourism Region 3 and Tourism Promotions Board as presentors, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority as host venue and Acea Subic Bay as host hotel, along with 2GO Express, Powerade and Wilkins Pure, TYR, Hoka One, Active Network, Philippine Star, Trilife, AsiaTRI.com, Finisher Pix, HyperHD on Cignal, AlcoPlus, Autohub, Cetaphil, Daylong, Devant, Omega, PLDT Subictel, Sanicare, Storck, Garmin, Alaska, David’s Salon, GU, Intercare, Pioneer Insurance and Sante Barley, the Lighthouse Marina Hotel, Court Meridian, Subic International Hotel and Active Network.

PHOTO:
Aussie triathlete Sam Betten flashes the No. 1 sign as he celebrates after crossing the finish line at the Remy Field during last year's 5150 triathlon held at Subic Bay Freeport. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

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Japan, HK split honors in Subic Int'l triathlon

Asian triathlon heavyweights Japan and Hong Kong split top honors in the open elite division Sunday in the NTT-ASTC Subic Bay International Triathlon at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

Japanese Ryosuke Maeda, ranked in the Top 10 back home, ruled the men’s race in 1:53.59 while HK bet Yan Yin Hilda Choi won the distaff side in 2:10.02.

Despite difficulties coping with the heat and humidity, Maeda said he expected to win the race that started at the ACEA beach resort and ended at the oval track of Remy Field.

Choi, on the other hand, said: “It was a nice race, good swim and I had a good bike pack with Claire setting the pace which helped us a lot.”

The HK lass was referring to Claire Adorna who set the pace in swimming and cycling before fading to eighth place.

Asian Triathlon Confederation president Justin Park and Legazpi Mayor Noel Rosal were on hand to award the trophies to the winners of the event organized by the Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP) in cooperation with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA).

Korean Ji Hwan Kim finished second behind Maedan with a time of 1: 54.44 while another Japanese, Kotaro Watanabe, took third place in 1:55.59.

Rounding out the top five finishers were Korean Seung Hun Seo (1: 56.39) and Japanese Genta Uchida (1:56.45).

John Chicano was the best-placed Filipino followed by Mark Hosana and 2015 Southeast Asian Games champion Nikko Huelgas. All three, however, failed to land in the Top 10.

In the women’s race, Kim Mangrobang finished fifth behind four foreigners. (Manila Bulletin)

http://sports.mb.com.ph/2017/05/01/japan-hk-split-honors/

Wakako Tsuchida of Japan reaches the finish line in the women's wheelchair category of the Asian Paratriathlon Championship that started and finished at the ACEA beach resort inside the Subic Bay Freeport last Saturday afternoon (https://www.facebook.com/greentriph/).

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Subic hosts ParaTriathlon Asian meet

Asia’s best paratriathletes converge on April 29 in Subic Bay Freeport Zone for the ASTC ParaTriathlon Asian Championships 2017.

Organized by the Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP) under the supervision of technical officials of the ITU and the Asian Triathlon Confederation (ASTC), the event has attracted close to 50 participants from Japan, Korea, Singapore, Macau, Malaysia, and Kygyzstan.

The Philippines will be led by Sixto Ducay and the blind siblings Jerome and Joshua Nelmida.

The technical delegate in the race is Koji Koganezawa while Daniel Sng of Singapore is the referee.

The race, supported by the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), Subic Travelers Hotel, ASTC, Asian Centre for Insulation Philippines, and Gatorade, will start at the ACEA Beach Resort for the 750 meter swim followed by 18 kilometer biking reaching up to Argonaut Highway and 5 kilometers running along San Bernardo Road finishing near ACEA.

At stake for the Top 3 winners of the paratriathlon categories of PT1, PT2, PT3, PT4 and PT5 are qualifying points to the World ParaTriathlon Championships, specially designed medals and winners’ t-shirts. The awarding ceremony will take place at 5PM at the finish line area and will be graced by Asian Triathlon Confederation president Justin Park and PHILSPADA president Mike Barredo (Manila Bulletin)

http://sports.mb.com.ph/2017/04/03/subic-hosts-paratriathlon-asian-meet/

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24th Subic Bay Int'l Triathlon lures record field

Nostalgia has gripped the country’s triathlon community in the run-up to the NTT ASTC Subic Bay International Triathlon slated at Subic Bay Freeport Zone on April 29 and 30.

With its hash tag #balikSubit, the country’s premier standard triathlon celebrating its 24th edition (longest running event in Subic Bay) has already over 800 entries in its registry book.

All out to spoil the Filipino triathletes’ trip are their counterparts from the United States, Great Britain, Australia, Switzerland, New Zealand, Canada, Japan, Korea, India, Syria, Chinese Taipei, Malaysia, Uzbekistan and Singapore.

Top finishing elite athletes earn points towards qualifying for the ITU World Triathlon Championships as SUBIT is a leg of the Asia Cup series under the aegis of Asian Triathlon Confederation.

SUBIT also serves as big test for the seven Filipino SEA Games hopefuls before the Asian Triathlon Championships in July. (Philippines copped the two gold medals staked in the last SEA Games.)

List-up for the SUBIT with SBMA, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), Finis, Century Tuna, Philippine Star, Gatorade, Standard Insurance, Cablelink, The Lighthouse Marina Resort and ACEA Subic Bay as major sponsors ends on April 1.

Ramon Marchan, president of the organizing Triathlon Association of the Philippines, said, “The response to our campaign to return to the root of international triathlons in the Philippines is, indeed, heartwarming that we have to deny entries three weeks before SUBIT.”

Coming in as minor sponsors are Subictel, Foton, PTT, Moonbay Marina The Villas and Asian Center for Insulation, Subic Bay Traveler’s Hotel is the official hotel; Subic Holiday Villas and Subic International Hotel are partner hotels.

Complementing the press and broadcast coverage are media partners: Raceday Triathlon, SBR.ph, Trilife Magazine and AsiaTRI.com.

Interested parties may visit TRAP’s website: www.triathlon.org.ph. or Facebook pages https://www.facebook.com/TriPhil/ and https://www.facebook.com/ITUSubit/.

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Wild stages epic comeback to win Subic Ironman race

SUBIC BAY - For the second straight year, Australian three-time world champion Crowie Alexander got the better of Tim Reed in the Century Tuna 70.3 Ironman race.

However, none of that mattered here Sunday, as a wild finish stripped Alexander of his title.

Switzerland's Ruedi Wild set up an epic comeback in the final third of the race to win the 2017 edition of the Century Tuna-sponsored event.

Behind by almost two minutes at the end of the 90-kilometer bicycle course, the Swiss Olympian pushed through in the last 21-kilometer run, crossing the finish line after 3 hours, 48 minutes, and 24 seconds.

It was 33 seconds better than Alexander's 3-hour, 48-minute, and 57-second effort as the Aussie's bid for back-to-back titles came to a not so pleasant end.

Reed, second in 2016 to Alexander, dropped to third after crossing the finish line less than two minutes after Wild. His official time was 3 hours, 50 minutes, and 17 seconds.

Sven Riederer and Kevin Collington came in seven seconds apart to finish fourth and fifth respectively.

In women's pro, Czech Republic's Radka Kahlefeldt took her revenge on 2016 champion Caroline Steffen to win the title.

Just like Wild, last year's runner up pulled away in the run portion of the three-part race before finishing with the final time of 4 hours, 22 minutes, and 13 seconds. Steffen came in over three minutes later to clock in at 4 hours, 25 minutes, and 55 seconds.

Australia's Dimity Lee Duke kept her spot at third after crossing the finish line after 4 hours, 41 minutes, and 57 seconds.

The third 70.3 Ironman race in Subic started early Sunday morning with the swimming portion taking off at ACEA Beach. Triathletes then had to go through SCTEXT all the way to Floridablanca, Pampanga for the bike course before coming back to Subic for the finish. (Paul Lintag, ABS-CBN Sports)

PHOTOS:
[1] Swiss national Ruedi Wild celebrates after crossing the finish line during the CT Ironman 70.3 triathlon held in Subic Bay Freeport. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

[2] WINNERS. Triathlon men's elite champ Ruedi Wild (center), shares the podium with runner-ups Alexander Craig (left) and Tim Reed after crossing the finish line during the 2017 Ironman 70.3 triathlon held in Subic Bay Freeport. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)


http://sports.abs-cbn.com/generalsports/news/2017/03/12/wild-stages-epic-comeback-win-subic-ironman-race-23142

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Ironkids, Superbods usher in Ironman weekend in Subic Bay

THE Alaska IronKids Triathlon provided the fitting run-up to the Century Tuna Ironman 70.3 as kids aged 6-to-14 slugged it out in their own version of the event—the Alaska IronKids Triathlon Saturday in Subic Bay.

14-year-old phenom Juan Baniqued has established himself as one of the Philippines' future stars in triathlon, taking care of business at the Remy field here after winning the Alaska Ironkids race, his second straight in the 13-14 age category for boys.

In the Girls 13-14 category Karen Manayon dominated the field, finishing the three-part race in 48 minutes and 27 seconds, more than a full three-minute advantage from her next competition.

In other results, Moira Frances Erediano topped the Girls 11-12 category after finishing the course in 34 minutes and 50 seconds. Alison Noble and Natzsa Lozada came in second and third respectively.

For the Boys 11-12, Zedrick James Borja won first after crossing the finish line in 33 minutes and 18 seconds, beating out Glendwyn Mariscotes and Daniel Nazarro.

Kirra Ellis won the Girls 9-10 and Michael Gabriel Lozada won the same age group in the Boys division. Over at the Girls 6-8, Kyle Enialle Toledana finished first while Gabriel Gaw won the Boys 6-8.

The Alaska Ironkids-Subic serves as the kickoff of a three-stage circuit, that includes two aquathlon on April 9 at the Manila Polo Club and June 3, also in Subic, and which culminates in the Alaska IronKids Triathlon in Mactan, Cebu in August.

All category winners are given free entry to the Cebu IronKids with free flights and accommodations, all courtesy of Alaska.

Produced and organized by Sunrise Events, Inc. and sponsored by Alaska Milk Corp., the Alaska IronKids is the junior version of the Ironman. It is also held to promote a well-balanced lifestyle for kids and at the same time serving as a perfect venue for family bonding.

Also on tap was the Century Tuna Superbods: The Underpants Run, providing the sizzler of an appetizer to the much-awaited Ironman 70.3 tomorrow (Sunday).

The side-event features the country’s Superbods finalists, running alongside the fancied names of the sport. It started 9:30 a.m. at the Subic Yacht Club and pass through a scenic route along the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

Inspired by the tradition at Kona, home of the renowned Ironman World Championship, Century Tuna is staging Superbods Underpants Run for the third straight year. It is also open to all participants of this year’s Ironman 70.3 as part of Century Tuna’s commitment to promote a fun local tradition that also gives back to the community.

Meanwhile, the Century Tuna Iron 70.3 Subic Bay, presented by Century Bangus, Department of Tourism and Tourism Promotions Board and organized and produced by Sunrise Events, Inc., will feature a stellar field, led by defending champions Craig Alexander of Australia and Swiss Caroline Steffen.

The premier triathlon event is also sponsored by 2Go Express (official courier and logistics partner), Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (venue partner), Acea Subic Bay (host hotel), Manila North Tollways Corp. (bike course partner), Gatorade (official sports drink), Saucony (official footwear and apparel partner) and TYR (official swim cap partner).

It is also backed by media partners The Philippine Star, Hyper HD on Cignal, TriLife, Asiatri.com and Finisher Pix and supported by Alaska, David’s Salon, GU Energy Gels, Intercare, Prudential Guarantee, Premier Water and Santé Barley and backed by marketing sponsors AlcoPlus, Cetaphil, Daylong, Devant, Froehlich Tours, Inc., Goldilocks, Omega Pro Pain Killer, PLDT Subictel, Regent Foods, Sanicare and Storck.

PHOTOS:

[1] Juan Baniqued celebrates another win in the Alaska Ironkids, his second straight in the 13-14 age group.(ABS-CBN Sports)

[2] Participants dash as they heed the starting horn during the Century Tuna Superbods: The Underpants Run, a prelude activity for the two-day fun and action-filled Century Tuna Ironman 70.3 in Subic Bay Freeport zone. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

http://sports.abs-cbn.com/generalsports/news/2017/03/11/14-year-old-phenom-repeats-ironkids-champ-23088

http://www.thestandard.com.ph/sports/active/231440/ironkids-superbods-usher-in-ironman-weekend.html

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‘Superbods’ in Ironman 70.3 returns to Subic Bay

The Century Tuna Superbods: The Underpants Run returns to SUBIC BAY for its THIRD year on March 11, 2017.

Inspired by the tradition at Kona, home of the renowned Ironman World Championship, Century Tuna continues with its own local tradition with the Superbods Underpants Run that it started in 2015 as a pre-race activity for the Century Tuna Ironman 70.3

This year, Century Tuna opens its extra fun pre-race tradition to EVERYONE and registration is for FREE. Individual runners can get the chance to win up to Php 15,000, while teams of four can win up to Php 20,000. Come in inspired costumes and you could bring home up to Php 15,000 or Php 20,000 if you’re a group.

Interested to join Century Tuna Superbods: The Underpants Run can register for free at the Century Tuna Booth at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center (SBECC) on March 10 or right before the race at the Subic Bay Yacht Club.

Kick off starts at 9:30 AM on March 11 at the Subic Bay Yacht Club and will take participants through a scenic route along the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

Meanwhile, some of the world’s top-ranked and rising Ironmen brace for the CT Ironman 70.3 on March 12, also in Subic, with defending male champion Craig Alexander eyeing a second straight championship in the 1.9km swim, 90km bike and 21km run event organized and produced by Sunrise Events, Inc.

But Alexander faces a formidable set of rivals, headed by former 2015 champion Tim Reed, along with Tin Van Berkel, Dan Brown, David Mainwaring and Sam Betten of Australia.

https://www.facebook.com/IM703Subic/

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Huge field gears up for CT Ironman 70.3 in Subic

Over 800 athletes, including 22 professionals, make up the early roster in the 2017 Century Tuna Ironman 70.3, which fires off next month in Subic Bay.

Organizers expect the international field to hit over 1,000, when the third staging of the premier swim-bike-run event is held on March 12.

The inaugural run drew 902 participants, while 823 competitors took part in last year's edition of the event.

Craig Alexander of Australia and Swiss Caroline Steffen will return to defend their title, but the duo are in for a tough challenge as other competitors are out to foil their bids for back-to-back crowns.

Among the contenders are: inaugural champion Tim Reed, Sam Betten, Jason Hall and Dan Wilson of Australia, South African Johan Stofberg, Till Schramm of Germany and Eric Watson of Bahrain.

The CT Ironman 70.3 caps a three-day weekend that includes a 2GO Bike Service and Expo on March 10, and the Alaska Ironkids and Century Tuna Superbods: The Underpants Run on March 11.

Great Britain, the US and Australia are fielding in 23, 22 and 20 entries, respectively. Singapore has 16, Guam 14, Japan 12, Germany 11, while Switzerland has 10, guaranteeing a spirited battle for top honors in various age-group divisions.

Other countries participating are Argentina, American Samoa, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, Czech Republic, Spain, France, Greece, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Hungary, Indonesia, India, Italy, Japan, Korea, Lebanon, Sri Lanka, Monaco, Mexico, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Norway, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Thailand, Uruguay and Vietnam.

Aside from the centerpiece pro and Asian Elite, other titles to be disputed are the 18-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69 and the 70-and-above age categories.

Also on tap is the relay competition featuring the mixed and the all male and all female classes, according to the organizing SEI.

The 1.9-kilometer swim will start and end at the Acea Beach in Subic Bay with the 90-km bike course also to fire off at the Acea Subic Bay to the Floridablanca interchange via Tipo Tollgate and back.

The 21-km run will start at the Subic Bay Convention Center (SBECC) and transit the SBMA en route to the turnaround at Acea Beach with the finish line at SBECC. (ABS-CBN News)

http://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/02/12/17/huge-field-gears-up-for-ct-ironman-703

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