Blue Wolves retain title in 9th SBMA mini-Olympics

The Blue Wolves emerged as back-to-back champion, keeping their title in the recently-concluded 9th Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Mini-Olympic games held recently.

The champion team, which consisted of 11 departments anchored by the Office of the Chairman and Administrator, easily held the commanding lead with 23 gold medals, 21 silvers, and 16 bronze medals.

The Blue Wolves beat three other teams in signature events that included basketball, volleyball, street dance competition, track and field, swimming, fun run, duathlon, and obstacle course race.

Meanwhile, first runner-up Green Cobras, a 12-department team that was led by the Office of the Senior Deputy Administrator for Operations, went home with 12 golds, 9 silvers, and 9 bronze medals.

The second runner-up title went to Yellow Eagles, a team headed by the Office of the Senior Deputy Administrator for Business and Investment, which won 7 golds, 9 silvers, and 12 bronze medals.

The team of Red Boars led by the Office of the Senior Deputy Administrator for Support Services ended up last with 6 golds, 6 silvers, and 8 bronze medals.

SBMA SDA for Support Services Ramon Agregado handed the medals to the winners during the awarding ceremony that capped the three-day games and congratulated all the teams for their efforts and sportsmanship.

Winners of team and individual events received cash prizes.

Agregado also praised the organizers and the various committees for handling the mini-Olympics well.

An award for “biggest delegation” was also given to the Blue Wolves for garnering a total of 141.6 points. Yellow Eagles came second with 75.7 points, while Green Cobras and Red Boars received 71.1 and 41 points, respectively.

This was the eighth iteration of the SBMA mini-Olympics, which aimed to foster sportsmanship and camaraderie among employees. The annual games were organized by the SBMA Human Resources Management Department.

SBMA Deputy Administrator for Public Works and Technical Services Group Marco Estabillo, who is mini-Olympics committee chairperson, said that while the previous mini-Olympics was held barely five months ago, the 2019 games had to be held early to make way for the renovation of sports facilities here in time for the SEA Games.

At least 16 events in the 30th Southeast Asian Games were scheduled to be played in Subic when the Philippines hosts the biennial regional multi-sport event from November 30 to December 11, 2019. (RFD/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTOS:

[1] SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma positions a jump-ball during the game between the Blue Wolves and Red Boars in the 9th SBMA mini-Olympics

[2] Members of the Blue Wolves strain their muscles and vocal cords during a rope tug-o-war against the Yellow Eagles in the 9th SBMA mini-Olympics

[3] Competitors from various teams race to the finish line while weighted with tires during the obstacle course race in the 9th SBMA mini-Olympics.

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NAGT triathlon set in Subic, registration ongoing

Over six hundred entries beat the early bird cut-off for the National Age-Group Triathlon Subic Bay race set for Jan. 27, 2019 at San Bernardino inside the Subic Bay Freeport.

The event organized by the Triathlon Association of the Philippines, in cooperation with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Tourism Department will have Standard Distance (1.5 Km swim–40 Km bike–10 Km run), Sprint Distance (750 M swim–20 Km bike–5 Km run) and Super Sprint Distance (500 M swim–13 Km bike–2.5 Km run) courses that will start and end at San Bernardino.

The NAGT series serves as TRAP’s main development and recruitment program from the grassroots level. The next stops are in Cebu, Dipolog City, Roxas City and Cagayan de Oro.

Competition manager Kenneth Romero said members of the Philippine Team, who are aspiring for slots for the 2019 Southeast Asian Games, including Claire Adorna, Kim Kilgroe, Nikko Huelgas, John Chicano, Mark Hosana, JC Abad and Edward Macalalad will be racing for their respective early season tests.

Many prominent junior elite and youth triathletes from around the country have registered including Cebuano standouts Andrew Kim Remolino, Karen Manayon and Moira Frances Erediano.

At stake in the event sponsored by the Philippine Sports Commission, Gatorade, Standard Insurance, Asian Centre for Insulation Philippines and the SBMA are medals for the Top 3 winners by age-group.

Registration is still ongoing with entry fees set at P3,750 for Standard Distance, P3,000 for Sprint Distance, P2,500 for Super Sprint Distance and P7,500 for Team Relay competitions.

Registration will end on December 31 to ensure that the field will not exceed the capacity of the venue.

For inquiries, contact the TRAP by email at trapsecretariat@gmail.com, by landline at 710-8259 and by visiting their official website at www.triathlon.org.ph (SNL)

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Subic bags bronze as best sports tourism destination in Asia

As a testament to the successful sports tourism program of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), the Subic Bay Freeport again won in the search for the best tourism destination of the year in Asia.

Subic Freeport romped away with the bronze award for “Best Sports Tourism Destination of the Year” in this year’s Sports Industries Awards and Conference Asia (SPIA Asia), beating countries like China, Thailand, South Korea, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia and India.

SBMA Senior Deputy Administrator Ramon Agregado and SBMA tourism manager Jem Camba received the award during the 3rd SPIA Asia Awards Gala 2018 held in Bangkok, Thailand on Tuesday.

The SPIA Asia awards is held annually to celebrate the brands, agencies rights holders, marketers, venues and destination, and organizations which positively influence the sporting landscape in Asia.

Entry to the awards is free and the judging rigorous, with about 400 entries this year and a panel of more than 37 international experts who judged the entries to determine the gold, silver and bronze winners.

The awards included four local and 14 Asian award categories, three public voted categories, and one achievement category.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma said Subic’s recognition in the SPIA Awards “again highlighted the attractiveness of Subic as a natural setting for sports competitions, and confirmed SBMA’s success in sustaining sports as a pillar of the local tourism industry.”

It can be recalled that Subic won the gold award for best destination in the SPIA Asia awards in 2017. This year, the gold award went to Melbourne, Australia while the silver went to Abu Dhabi of the United Arab Emirates.

Agregado said it was a “great achievement” for Subic to win awards in succession, considering the large number of entries vying for honors.

Other finalists this year in the Best Sports Tourism Destination category were: Amazing Thailand, Tourism Authority Thailand; Imagine Your Korea, Korea Tourism Organization; Mission Hills, China, Mission Hills Group; Vietnam - Timeless Charm, Vietnam National Administration of Tourism; Visit Malaysia, Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board; Wonderful Indonesia, Ministry of Tourism of the Republic of Indonesia; and Incredible India, Ministry of Tourism India. (MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:
SBMA Senior Deputy Administrator Ramon Agregado (second, left) and SBMA tourism manager Jem Camba (center) receive the bronze award for “Best Sports Tourism Destination of the Year”

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Subic hosts Black Arrow 5150

Top pros gearing up for bigger battles and triathletes who love to do short-distance but challenging races in a world-class course setup mix it up for the inaugural Black Arrow Express 5150 which fires off Nov. 4 in Subic Bay.

The stellar international cast brace for another grueling test of endurance as they clash for honors and personal bests over the Olympic distance of 1.5k swim-40K bike-10K run race in what has long been considered as the country’s triathlon capital.

“Subic has tremendous infrastructure and has been incredibly cooperative in working with us and helping ensure the successful staging of each triathlon event,” said Wilfred Uytengsu, founder and president of the organizing Sunrise Events, Inc.

Held in partnership with one of the top cargo movers in the country, Black Arrow Express 5150 is billed as the answer to triathletes seeking to step up for tougher races or get the hang of the tri-sport, depending on their skill levels.

“The same commitment to finish to the ‘last-mile’ is often the most grueling part of the race. Same goes for Black Arrow which delivers to their customers’ doors by foot through rain and flood,” said Black Arrow Express president Allan Brizuela.

The event, backed by venue hosts Subic Bay and ACEA Subic Bay and major sponsors David’s Salon, Pioneer Insurance and Wicked Active Gear, also caps SEI’s decade-long staging of the premier endurance race. For details and listup, visit www.blackarrowexpress.5150philippines.com or sunriseevents.com.ph.

Close to thousand participants have so far registered for the event, including bets from 21 countries, with competitions up in the pro division, the Asian Elite and various age categories. Also on tap are relay events for male, female and mixed.

The second Sunrise Sprint short distance race series or S2 will also be staged, a 750-m open water swim, 20K bike ride, 5K run race which is fit for beginners wanting to immerse themselves into triathlon, for enthusiasts who wants to race without having to worry about long periods of training, or for the tri-warrior who has been off the circuit and is raring to make a comeback.

Backing the event are TYR (official swim cap), GU (official energy gel), Active Network (official registration partner), marketing partners Alaska, AlcoPlus, Cetaphil, DeVant, Nuun, PLDT Subictel, Smart, Sanicare, Regent, Storck and Timex and media partners Hyper HD, Cignal, The Philippine Star, AsiaTri.com and Finisher Pix. (SNL)

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Biggest obstacle race successfully held in Subic Freeport

The Subic Bay Freeport scored another first when around 3,300 participants from all over the globe participated in what is touted as the biggest obstacle course race (OCR) in the country, the Spartan Southeast Asia (SEA) Series Finale Trifecta that was held here over the weekend.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma welcomed the athletes who came from countries like the United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Singapore, during the opening of the race.

Eisma herself joined the phalanx of Spartans and ran the Sprint event that included a six-kilometer course with more than 20 obstacles that runners had to go through. The SBMA chief is considered the first top official in the Subic Bay Freeport to finish a Spartan Race.

Meanwhile, Ian Deeth from the United Kingdom dominated the men’s Beast Elite division while Colleen Agustin from Malaysia destroyed the competition in the women’s Beast Elite division.

Other participants who made the top five places in the men’s division are: Callum Meehan of New Zealand, Christoph Lex of Germany, George Crewe of United Kingdom, and Leoniel DG of Malaysia.

Agustin led the women’s division along with Magdalena Cvetkovic of Hong Kong, Joelle Fiore of Singapore, Melba Vergara of the Philippines, and Lucy Matthews of United Kingdom. Vergara was the only Filipina who ranked in the top five of the Beast Elite category.

Spartan Race Director Michael Reyes said that although Typhoon Mangkhut ravaged the Ilanin Forest where the course would take place on the first of the two-day event, all of the participants were eager to duke it out on the second day.

Reyes added that all three races were held on Sunday, showing that nothing could stop participants from achieving their goals of becoming a part of the so-called Trifecta Tribe.

The Spartan Race Trifecta Weekend is part of the South East Asia (SEA) Series Finale that held three races in one Sunday: Spartan Sprint, a six-kilometer-long, 20-obstacle course; Spartan Super, a 13-kilometer-long, 25-obstacle course; and the Spartan Beast, a 21-kilometer-long, 30-obstacle course.

Ocean Adventure Founder Scott Sharpe said that the event has certainly boosted the number of guests at their marine theme park and the Camayan Beach Resort. He assured everybody that the Ilanin Forest is kept clean despite having so many participants traversing the area.

He added that their Camayan Beach Resort will create a small obstacle course to give tourists who frequent their theme park and resort a taste of Spartan Race, and also create a fitness community based on the OCR. (HEE/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTOS:

[1] Spartans begin the race deep in the Ilanin Forest of the Subic Bay Freeport

[2] Participants hurdle obstacles during the Spartan Race Trifecta Weekend in the Subic Bay Freeport

[3] SBMA Chairman Amy Eisma (second from right) beams with pride as SBMA employees show off their medals after finishing the Spartan Race in the Subic Bay Freeport

(Photos by MPD-SBMA)

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Subic to host first Spartan Trifecta Race in Southeast Asia

Another historic first will happen here next month when Subic hosts the country’s first Trifecta Weekend for Spartan Race, the most popular obstacle course race (OCR) in the world today, at the Camayan Beach Resort on September 15-16.

Race Director Michael Reyes said in a press conference here on Wednesday that this will be the first Trifecta event in the whole of Southeast Asia where all three medals can be earned in one weekend.

“This particular Trifecta Weekend will serve as the grand finale for the Southeast Asian Championship Series and will be offering the only Spartan Beast race in the SEA Series,” Reyes said.

“We are expecting around 5,000 athletes to participate in the event since the reception we got in the last three events was phenomenal. We estimate around 7,000 finishers in the Philippines with 99.99 percent finish rate,” he added.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman Wilma T. Eisma said in the same briefing that the Spartan Race would add to the already large number of prestigious sporting events being held in Subic, including the first full Ironman that was held here in July.

“Subic has been hailed last year as the best sports tourism destination in Asia, and now with the Spartan Race we’re cementing this free port’s reputation as the endurance sports capital, too,” she added.

The Spartan Race Trifecta Weekend is part of the South East Asia (SEA) Series Finale that will take place on September 15 and 16, holding three races in one epic weekend. The race will be held at the West Ilanin Forest area of the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

Reyes said the Subic Trifecta Weekend will comprise all three Spartan Races: Spartan Sprint, which is a six-kilometer long, 20-obstacle course; Spartan Super, a 13-km, 25-obstacle course; and the Spartan Beast, a 21-km, 30-obstacle course.

The Spartan Beast will be held on September 15, a Saturday, while the Spartan Sprint and Super categories will be held on September 16, a Sunday.

Reyes said Spartan racers from all over Southeast Asia will be coming to Subic Bay Freeport to gain a spot in the 2018 World Championship in Lake Tahoe.

He said the top ten male and female finishers from the elite category, the top five male and female racers in the 14-17, 18-24, and 50+ age groups, and the top ten male and female entrants in the 25-29, 30-39, and 40-49 age groups will earn their spots in the 2018 Asia Pacific Championships in Johor, Malaysia on December 2018.

Meanwhile, the top three finishers in both the elite and age group categories will qualify in the Regional Championship, as well as the World Championships in Lake Tahoe at the end of the year.

Meanwhile, Ocean Adventure founder Scott Sharpe said the company plans to create a small obstacle course inside the Camayan Beach Resort here to give tourists a taste of the Spartan Race course.

The firm will also plan to create a fitness facility here based on the OCR model, he added. (JRR/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma welcomes the holding of the Spartan Trifecta Race in the Subic Bay Freeport following the announcement of the event by Race Director Michael Reyes (middle) and SBMEI founder Scott Sharpe. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

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Extreme trail run returns to Subic Freeport

Even the rains cannot dampen fun and excitement in this premier adventure tourism enclave, as the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) announced various events timed for the rainy season.

The biggest thriller scheduled so far this month is the Subic leg of Salomon Xtrail Pilipinas, an all-terrain running race that will take participants on July 22 along some of the wildest, wettest, and most wearying nature trails in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

“Just when you thought Subic would rest because of inclement weather, it now hosts extreme adventure events to make your visit as enjoyable as during summer,” observed Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma.

“We also have races, animal shows, exhibitions, cruise-ship arrivals, and festivals practically the whole year round, so there’s never a long lull here even during the rainy season,” she added.

The upcoming Salomon Xtrail is one of the most anticipated races today, as it is reputed to be a more technical trail running race, with a mixture of different terrain surfaces including dirt, rocks, sand and concrete paths. It is held throughout Southeast Asia with countries such as Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and the Philippines hosting the event.

SBMA Tourism Manager Jem Camba said they expect around 3,000 local and foreign participants this year for the event organized by Primer Group of Companies and Extribe, Inc.

After the Luzon leg in Subic, the race will be run in Davao on August 12 for the Mindanao leg, and in Iloilo on September 16 for the Visayas leg.

Camba said this year’s competition in Subic will involve two race categories – the Trail Run category for beginners with 6-km and 12-km distances, and the more technical Mountain Run designed for experienced runners with 24-km and 32-km distances.

It will take participants along rocky dirt roads, muddy mountain trains, and across swollen streams and overgrown grasslands.

“These trails might be technical and challenging to some, but they will always showcase the beauty of the forests, rivers and mountains in the Subic Bay Freeport,” Camba said.

Aside from the Salomon Xtrail, Subic hosted the Ironman Full Distance and 70.3 Triathlon on June 3, kicking off the start of the rainy season here with the first full-distance Ironman to be held in the country.

This was followed by the qualifying race for the Youth Olympic Games organized by the Triathlon Association of the Philippines on June 17; the Tri-United Leg 1 by Run Bike Swim, Inc. on June 29-30; and the Tri-United Leg 2 on July 1.

Meanwhile, the month of June also started out with a tourism bang with the return here of the cruise ship MV Costa Atlantica on June 5 and June 19, and the first arrival of Dream Cruises’ latest vessel MV World Dream on June 6, as well as Royal Caribbean International’s MS Ovation of the Seas, the biggest cruise ship operating in Asia, on June 8.

This month, Subic expects two more return of Costa Atlantica, its 11th and 12th arrival, after the cruise line Costa Crociere made Subic a part of the ship’s regular Asian itinerary.

In August, the SBMA has also calendared two more Costa Atlantica visits on August 14 and 28; the Feast of San Roque on August 16; and the arrival of another Royal Caribbean cruise liner, the MS Voyager of the Seas, on August 26. (JRR/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTOS:

Salomon Xtrail participants rough it out in previous Subic editions of the trail run. (MPD-SBMA)

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Subic hosts Bike King TRI 2 on July 1

Over 500 triathletes brace for an unconventional long-distance multisport competition in the Bike King TRI 2 set on July 1 at Subic Bay.

After the 2km swim at ACEA Subic Bay, participants vie in the bike leg on the rolling 60km route of SCTEX until Dinalupihan before returning to Subic.

The final test of endurance is the 15-km run which includes the hills of Cubi Point.

The team competition will see large contingents from Century Tri Hard, FIT Phl, Herbalife, Pampanga’s Best Tri Clark, Sante Barley and Trimac vying for top honors.

Specially designed trophies will be awarded to the individual and team winners of the event supported by TAG Heuer, Biogenic Alcohol, NLEX-SCTEX, Standard Insurance, Vittoria, Smart, Gatorade, Nescafé Dolce Gusto, Saucony, Gardenia, Prohealth Sports and Spinal, ACEA Subic Bay, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), Court Meridian Hotel & Suites, and Subic Holiday Villas.

Other events lined up by Bike King are the Bike King Duathlon presented by Clark Global City (Sept. 9), the Sun Life Aquathlon Series Championship (Oct. 14), and the MediCard Sprint Triathlon (Nov. 25). (Philippine Star)


https://www.philstar.com/sports/2018/06/25/1827722/bike-king-tri-2-slated-subic-july-1

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Subic hosts triathlon qualifier

The first ASTC Asian Youth Olympic Games (YOG) qualifier will be held June 17 at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

Fifty-seven triathletes from 17 countries will vie for 10 slots – five boys and five girls – to the Buenos Aires YOG set in September.

Among those who have signed up for the qualifier are the Philippines’ Karen Manayon, Lauren Plaza, Joshua Ramos, Juan Francisco Baniqued, Inaki Lorbes and Joshua Averion.

The other notable entries include Teppei Tokuyama (Japan), Nicholas Rachmadi (Singapore), Dongwook Kim (South Korea), Ka Eun Kim (South Korea), Tsz Ho Li (Hong Kong), Maki Uchida (Japan), Megan Hwee Wen Tan (Malaysia), Tingnui Li (China) and Ekaterina Ryazanova (Uzbekistan).

The event is organized by the Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP) and supported by the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Tourism Department, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), Standard Insurance, Gatorade and Asian Center for Insulation.

Meanwhile, entries from the Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia and Cambodia will compete in the SEATA Sprint Championships.

The Philippines will be led by Southeast Asian Games medalists Nikko Huelgas and John Chicano in the Elite Men division. They will be challenged by Singapore’s Bryce Chong and Cedric Jiang Hong, Indonesia’s Jauhari Johan and other members of the national team such as Edward Macalalad, Juan Carlos Abad, Julius Constantino and Mark Hosana. (Manila Standard)

https://sports.mb.com.ph/2018/06/11/subic-hosts-triathlon-qualifier/

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Seychelles triathlete makes history in Philippines’ first full Ironman

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT - Pride of the Seychelles Nick Baldwin has just made many different forms of history on Sunday here.

Baldwin bested six other fellow male professional triathletes. to claim the top spot in the 2018 Century Ironman Philippines – the first-ever full-distance Ironman race in the country.

“This is awesome. I’ve heard a lot about the Philippines and it was really special to win the first one here,” he told reporters with a big smile after winning. “I hope they have more and I hope I get to come back again.”

The 30-year-old logged a total time of 8:50.13 in the race covering 3.8 km of swimming, 180 km of biking, and 42.95 km of running.

His time was six minutes better than his closest competitor – leaving no doubt about the very first personal championship for him.

More than that, Baldwin’s win also made him the very first Seychelles triathlete to win an Ironman race.

The Seychelles is an Eastern African archipelagic country found in the Indian Ocean. It has a population of 94, 228, as per the UN.

Read more --> https://sports.abs-cbn.com/generalsports/news/2018/06/03/seychelles-triathlete-makes-history-ph-s-1st-full-ironman-42441 



1,278 triathletes join first-ever PHL full Ironman in Subic Freeport

A total of 1,278 triathletes joined the Century Tuna Ironman Philippines 2018 here on Sunday, helping cement Subic’s reputation as the triathlon capital of the country, as the business and tourism enclave hosted the first full marathon event to be held in the Philippines.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman Wilma T. Eisma formally signalled the start for the full marathon that engaged participants in a challenging yet picturesque course in this free port.

“We are very elated over the fact that the first full marathon was held here in the Subic Bay Freeport,” Eisma said. “This is certainly a momentous occasion for us. Subic is now a glorious part of Philippine sports history.”

The Ironman Subic event featured a gruelling 3.8-km swim, 180-km bike, and 42-km run course that challenged even the toughest triathletes from all over the world.

But with hundreds of locals competing in the event, it also showed that the Filipinos are embracing the sport that has been around the Subic Bay Freeport for more than a decade.

“Competing in a full triathlon requires a high level of commitment from the athletes to train for long, hard hours for at least five months. And Century Tuna is proud to be at the forefront of promoting health and fitness in the country,” said Greg Banzon, vice president and general manager of Century Pacific Food, the event sponsor.

“The expected scale and scope of attention the event generated in the country and the global triathlon community gives us a very big stage to shout out our message of living a healthy lifestyle through proper diet and exercise,” he added.

Around 830 local triathletes competed in the event that also drew bets from 47 countries, including 78 each from China and Japan, 54 from the United States, 47 from Singapore and 29 from Australia. Great Britain and Northern Ireland also fielded a combined 18-triathlete delegation while Korean sent in 16.

The race started at Subic’s Triboa Bay with the swim leg of the event at the ACEA Resort before the field tackled the 2-loop bike race at the Subic-Clark Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX). It was capped by a punishing 2-loop marathon along the coast of Subic Bay.

The holding of the full distance Ironman in the Philippines was a significant leap for the development of the sport in the region, said Ironman Asia Managing Director Geoff Meyer.

“The past decade has been an extraordinary achievement of growth of Ironman and triathlon in the Philippines, and is a true testament to all Filipinos who are now largely represented at races all over the world. I am incredibly proud of what Ironman and Sunrise Events team have achieved together, and of the community of triathletes who have been part of the journey,” said Meyer. (JRR/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTOS:

[1] SEA Games triathlon champ Nikko Huelgas waves the Philippine flag to send off a batch of triathletes in the 2018 Ironman Subic Bay on Sunday. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

[2] Indonesian Andy Wibowo makes a wet finish to top the Century Tuna Ironman 70.3 event at the Subic Bay Freeport. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

[3] SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma joins the awarding of winners in age-group categories for Ironman 70.3 Subic Bay. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

[4] Runners in “underwear fashion” take to the streets on Saturday during the 2018 edition of the Century Tuna Underpants Run, a side event in the Ironman 70.3 triathlon event held in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

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Over 1,200 triathletes from 47 countries seeing action in Subic Bay for Ironman

WHILE the elite pros are expected to finish it in over eight hours or so, the bulk of the brave 1,268 participants from 47 countries brace for a grueling race that could stretch into the night when the first Century Tuna Ironman fires off on Sunday in Subic.

Cutoff for the 3.8-kilometer swim is two hours and 20 minutes, and a 10-hour 30-minute limit has been set for the 180km bike ride, and 17 hours to finish the 42.95km closing run.

Seven each in the men’s and women’s sides will slug it out for the coveted crown in the centerpiece Pro division while two in each category are vying in the Asian Elite.

But focus will also be on the 11 age group divisions, which drew the bulk of the Ironman participants.

Two hundred ninety nine are entered in the 40-44 age class, including 266 in the men’s side, while 280, including 257 in the men’s, are entered in the 45-49 category. The 35-39 group has 248 entries while the 30-34 and 50-54 classes drew 151 and 122 participants, respectively.

Ironman legends Dave Scott of the US and Craig Alexander will hold a meet-and-greet session on Thursday at 4 p.m. at Shangri-La at The Fort.

“Everybody’s got that mixed feelings rush heading to the event – thrilled yet wary. But it will certainly be a unique feeling for every full Ironman finisher, a combination of relief, fatigue, joy, this being the first full Ironman to be staged here,” said Sunrise Events, Inc. general manager Princess Galura.

After holding three 5150 and Ironman 70.3 races, Century Tuna is putting up the Ironman in partnership with SEI.

“The last three years, we saw our Century Tuna Ironman 70.3 races sold to almost full capacity, proving that the Philippine triathlon community has grown and progressed," said Greg Banzon, vice president and general manager of Century Pacific Food Inc.

Other backers of the event are venue hosts Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority and ACEA Subic Bay, bike leg racing partner NLEX and SCTEX, courier and logistics partner Black Arrow Express, footwear sponsor Hoka One One, hydration partners Gatorade and Aquafina, swim cap TYR, energy gel Gu and bike mechanics Storck. Also supporting the event are David’s Salon, Intercare and Prudential Guarantee, Hyper HD on Cignal, The Philippine Star, Trilife,Asiatri.com and Finisherpix, Alcoplus, Cetaphil, Devant, Ford, PLDT, Regent, Sanicare and Timex, Active Network, and ACEA, Best Western Plus, Court Meridian, The Lighthouse, Mansion Garden Hotel, The Villas, Subic Bay Peninsular, Subic Bay Yacht Club and Subic Holiday Villas.

PHOTO:

Triathletes race towards Subic Bay waters for the swim event of Century Tuna IRONMAN held in March last year.


https://www.spin.ph/multi-sport-events/news/triathlon-ironman-subic-crowie-craig-alexander

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Ironman to showcase Pinoys’ passion

The upcoming Century Tuna full Ironman Philippines will not only serve as the ultimate test in endurance racing but will also showcase the Filipino triathletes’ passion in the sport before the world through the finisher’s medal when it is held June 3 in Subic.

The sponsoring Century Tuna and organizing Sunrise Events, Inc. have collaborated to come up with a unique medal billed as the “Alab ng Puso” to be awarded to the elite international cast vying in the first-ever full triathlon in the country.

Created by noted designer Daniel de la Cruz, the memento will underscore the local triathletes passion in the sport with Subic also serving as one of the country’s top training grounds. It will depict the commitment of the intrepid 1,200 triathletes from around the world gearing up for the punishing 3.8km swim-180km bike-42km run event.

The first full Ironman, backed by title sponsor Century Tuna and presented by Alaska, Tourism Promotions Board and Department of Tourism, also serves as a fitting event for SEI’s 10th anniversary celebrations and a decade of Ironman staging in the country.


De la Cruz is known for his natural artistic skills and his expert use of diverse materials. In fact, he was the first Filipino designer to develop ceramic collections for the prestigious company Villeroy & Boch in Germany.

The official design of the “Alab ng Puso” medal actually remains under wraps but it will resemble the triangle part of the Philippine flat with the sun and three stars. Moreover, the lace to be used will be created by the dream weavers from Marawi City.

“As a brand at the forefront of promoting health and fitness, Century Tuna is very proud to be the lead sponsor of the first full distance Ironman in the country. The expected scale and scope of attention the event will generate in the country and the global triathlon community gives us a very big stage to shout out our message of living a healthy lifestyle through proper diet and exercise,” said Greg Banzon, vice president and general manager of Century Pacific Food, makers of Century Tuna.

Other backers of the event are venue hosts Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority and ACEA Subic Bay, bike leg racing partner NLEX Corp., official courier and logistics partner AAI Holdings, official footwear sponsor Hoka One One, official hydration partners Gatorade and Aquafina, official swim cap TYR, official energy gel Gu, official bike mechanics Storck; David’s Salon, Intercare and Prudential Guarantee (major sponsors), Hyper HD on Cignal, The Philippine Star, Trilife, Asiatri.com and Finisherpix (media partners), Alcoplus, Cetaphil, Crampfix, Devant, Ford, PLDT, Regent, Sanicare, and Timex (marketing sponsors), Active Network (registration partner), and ACEA, Best Western Plus, Court Meridian, The Lighthouse, Mansion Garden Hotel, The Villas, Subic Bay Peninsular, Subic Bay Yacht Club and Subic Holiday Villas (official hotels). (SNL)

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Azevedo tops Subic Bay International Triathlon

PORTUGUESE journeyman Filipe Azevedo ended the dominance of the Japanese in the 25th edition of the NTT Asia Cup Subic Bay International Triathlon held this past weekend at ACEA Subic Bay in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

Azevedo used a strong kick to outrun Korea’s Min Ho Heo (1:50:55) and Japan’s Takumi Hojo (1:50:59) with a winning time of 1:50:50 in the grueling 1.5 Kilometer swim – 40 Kilometer bike – 10 Kilometer run Elite Men’s contest organized by the Triathlon Association of the Philippines in partnership with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA).

On the distaff side in the event sponsored by Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), Arena, New Balance, Philippine Star, Gatorade, Omega Pain Killer Liniment, Standard Insurance, Lighthouse Marina Resort, Century Tuna, Gatorade, Subic Holiday Villas, Travelers Hotel, ACEA, Asian Center for Insulation and Solar Sports, China’s Zhong Mengying (2:01:19), Zhang Yi (2:03:44) and Yang Ling (2:04:49) swept the Top 3 positions in dominating fashion leading from start to finish from the swim leg to biking and superb runs of under 38 minutes under the sun.

The Philippines’ very own Kim Mangrobang settled for 8th place in the Elite Women’s race timing 2:07:09. The 2017 Southeast Asian Games gold medalist’s finish was good considering the very strong field of competitors.

The Philippines somehow salvaged its pride with the victories of JC Abad, Edward Macalalad and Julius Constantino in the Men’s Under-23 (U/23) contest. They finished with times of 2:03:33, 2:04:23 and 2:07:46 respectively.

On Saturday, April 21, Singapore, Hong Kong and China’s junior triathletes dominated the sprint distance events with Filipino boys grabbing the 13-15 category. 13-15 girls category was dominated by the Wright sisters of Hong Kong sweeping Top 3 posts while the boys 16-19 race saw Hong Kong at 1-2 and China at 3rd place. Most swimmers showed superiority in the swim leg.

The 2018 NTT Asia Cup Subic Bay International Triathlon attracted 800 participants and was supervised by the International Triathlon Union (ITU) and the Asian Triathlon Confederation (ASTC) with Kouji Koginasawa as technical delegate. Complete race results and lists of winners will be available through TRAP’s website and Facebook page. (Manila Standard)

PHOTO:

Filipe Azevedo wins the NTT Asia Cup Subic Bay International Triathlon 2018. (AsiaTriLive)


http://www.thestandard.com.ph/sports/sports-plus/263818/azebedo-tops-subic-bay-international-triathlon.html

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Subic Bay International Triathlon fires off April 21

The 3-in-1 2018 NTT Asia Cup Subic Bay International Triathlon (SUBIT) will unfold at the Acea in Subic Bay on April 21 and 22.

As an Asian Cup Series 2018 event under the supervision of the International Triathlon Union (ITU) and Asian Triathlon Confederation, it offers to top local and international elite athletes ITU points for Asian and world rankings and qualification to major international competitions such as the 2020 Tokyo Olympics triathlon event and other international events.

To be held in conjunction with SUBIT sponsored by the Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, Arena, New Balance, Philippine Star, Gatorade, Omega Pain Killer Liniment, Standard Insurance, Lighthouse Marina Resort, Century Tuna, Gatorade, Subic Holiday Villas, Travelers Hotel, Acea, Asian Center for Insulation and Solar Sports on the final day is the Subic Bay Southeast Asian Championships envisioned to alternate with the Southeast Asian Games Triathlon.

Serving as the curtain raiser on the first day of action is the local event for youth participants serving as a test race for the Asian Youth Olympic Games qualifier, which will be held on June 17.

Tom Carrasco, president of both the organizing Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP) and Southeast Asian Games Triathlon Association (SEATA) said, “This year’s staging of SUBIT will be one big celebration.”

“We will not only commemorate the 25th anniversary of SUBIT, by far the country’s longest running triathlon competition, and the partnership of Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority and TRAP. We will celebrate TRAP’s award bestowed by Philippine Sportswriters Association as the “National Sports Association of the Year 2017”.

“On top of that, SUBIT 2018 serves as the vehicle for the revival of SEATA which was founded in Subic Bay Freeport 10 years ago”, Carrasco stressed.

As of March 28, close to 800 triathletes have registered including 41 elite male competitors and 14 elite female competitors from 20 nations, namely Australia, United States, Portugal, New Zealand, Palestine, Israel, Japan, China, Korea, Kazakhstan, Hong Kong, Uzbekistan, Chinese Taipei, Singapore, Macau, Malaysia, Thailand, Myanmar, Nepal and Philippines. (Manila Times)

http://www.manilatimes.net/subic-bay-international-triathlon-fires-off-april-21/389772/

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First-timers rule 93rd NCAA beach volleyball

San Beda University, Emilio Aguinaldo College and Arellano University came through with performances to remember to clinch their very first title in their respective divisions in the 93rd NCAA beach volleyball tournament at the Boardwalk in Subic Bay, Zambales Saturday.

Twice runners-up, twins Maria Jeziela and Maria Nieza Viray ended two years of frustration as they beat EAC’s Jaylene May Lumbo and Glyka Mariz Medina, 21-17, 21-10, to sweep their way to their first ever crown.

The Virays, who lost to San Sebastian’s Grethcel Solltones and Alyssa Eroa in the last two finals, completed their magical season with a perfect 11-0 win-loss record.

“We’re so ecstatic because after two years of losing in the finals, we finally won it,” said Maria Jeziela, the adjudged MVP who like her sister is taking up Bachelor of Physical Education and Wellness.

EAC’s Paolo Cezar Lim and Joshua Mina edged Perpetual Help’s Joebert Almodiel and Rey Taneo with a come-from-behind 17-21, 21-17, 15-13 win to likewise book their first men’s crown.

The Lim-Mina tandem also wound up with a pristine 11-0 slate.

Mina was named MVP.

AU for its part bucked a broken finger by Adrian Villados as Jesus Valdez and reserve Zachary Dablo, 21-16, 21-18 to also take home its first championship in the high school division.

Up a set and 14-13 in the second, Villados, the adjudged MVP, broke his right pinkie finger and was rushed to the nearby hospital but Dablo, his replacement, and Valdez held the fort to preserve the win and the crown. (ABS-CBN Sports)

https://sports.abs-cbn.com/ncaa/news/2018/03/04/first-timers-rule-93rd-ncaa-beach-volleyball-38490

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LOOK: Sports officials check out Subic as SEA Games venue

[1] SBMA Chairperson and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma (center) welcomes Ramon Suzara, head of the Southeast Asian Games 2019 master-planning team, and his team members during an ocular inspection of sports facilities and venues in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone on Jan. 16.

At least 10 different sport events of the SEA Games will be held in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone next year.

[2] SBMA Chairperson and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma, along with SDA Ramon O. Agregado (left), listens to an assessment by Ramon Suzara, head of the Southeast Asian Games 2019 master-planning team, of proposed plans for the hosting of at least 10 different sport events of the SEA Games in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone next year. Suzara’s team visited Subic on Jan. 16 to inspect sports facilities and probable venues for the 2019 SEA Games.

(MPD-SBMA)

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Cycling: SEA Games vets rule ITT

Mark Galedo, Marella Salamat and Jay Lampawog shone brightest among the country’s top guns of cycling by ruling the individual time trial (ITT) races of the Philippine National Cycling Championships for Road inside the Subic Bay Freeport.

Galedo clocked 43 minutes and 6.876 seconds to win the gold medal in the men’s ITT raced over a 31-km course, snatching in the process the coveted national champion’s jersey from the PhilCycling.

The former SEA Games gold medalist also banked the top purse of P50,000 from PRU Life UK, which bankrolled the PRUride ph 2018.

Galedo’s fellow national team members George Oconer and Rustom Lim completed the podium, finishing the race-against-the-clock race 19 and 30 seconds behind.

“I will proudly wear this jersey,” said Galedo, who, like all the other 25 riders who raced the ITT, had to pedal through Subic’s strong winds that rushed from almost all directions along the entire route.

Pru Life UK Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Allan Tumbaga, world top-ranked cyclist Filipino-American Coryn Rivera, Prudential PLC Head of Sponsorship Diane Pender and PhilCycling Secretary General Atty. Billy Sumagui awarded the prizes to the winners.

Salamat, the SEA Games ITT queen, was hardly challenged in her pet event and won the 21-km women’s race in 34:49.163. She also grabbed the P50,000 prize.

Taiwan’s Chng Ting Ting settled for the silver medal while Jermyn Prado, winner of the women’s road race last Friday, was third.

Lampawog, on the other hand, took the under-23 title, crossing the finish of the event also raced on the men’s course in 45:02.038. (Manila Bulletin)

Morales, Prado top elite races

Jan Paul Morales won a sprint finish against Ronald Oranza and Jermyn Prado won pulling away to rule the Philippine National Cycling Championships for Road over a technical and treacherous route Friday in Subic and Bataan.

A total of 96 riders answered the gun for the men’s elite race of the PhilCycling but it was Morales, a many-time national team member who emerged as one of the biggest winners of the event that awarded the coveted national champions’ jerseys to the victors.

“I really went for the win but I had to work hard for this one,” said Morales moments after his victory that earned him not only P50,000 in cash from organizer Pru Life UK but also an all-expense paid trip to the Prudential Ride London in July.

Morales clocked three hours, 42 minutes and 55 seconds – same time as Oranza –over the 137-km course that included a treacherous climb to the Dambana ng Mga Bayani at Mt. Samat in Mariveles, Bataan.

Felipe Marcelo and Jonel Carcueva figured in a race incident close to the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center finish and shared third place in one of the races that highlight the PRUride PH 2018.

Oranza brought home P25,000 while Marcelo and Carcueva shared the third and fourth place prizes of P15,000 and P12,500, respectively.

Also earning tickets to London and R50,000 each were Prado and Men Under 23 winner Ismael Gorospe. (Tempo)

PHOTO:

SBMA Deputy Administrator for Regulatory Group Atty. Ruel John Kabigting (left), signals the send off for cyclists participating in the Subic-leg of PRUride Ph 2018, said to be one of the biggest cycling events in the country at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention ground Friday. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

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PRUride PH 2018 to fire off next week in Subic Bay

Southeast Asian Games gold medalists Mark John Lexer Galedo and Marella Vania Salamat will head the men and women elite cast seeing action in the Pru Life UK’s PRUride PH 2018 beginning next weekend starting on January 11 in Subic and Bataan and on January 21 at McKinley West in Taguig City.

Free registration – through the official website http://PRUride.PH! – awaits Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) license holders in the men and women elite, men and women under-23 and men and women junior categories for the PRUride PH Professional Road Race.

Besides the honor of wearing the national champion’s jersey to be awarded by the sanctioning Integrated Cycling Federation of the Philippines (PhilCycling), the national federation for the sport, a total cash prize of more than P1 million will go to the top finishers in all categories — plus the chance to ride in the Prudential RideLondon 2018 in July, all expenses paid.

The champions of the men and women elite categories for both PRUride Professional Road Race and PRUride Criterium will receive P50,000 each, while the men under-23 category winners for all races will bring home P20,000 each. The prizes in the men elite races are scaled down to the 20th place with the second and third placers getting P25,000 and P15,000, respectively.

The 136-kilometer road race for men and 120-km for women elite and men juniors is set simultaneously on January 12 on a route that will start and finish at the Subic Bay Exposition and Convention Center (SBECC). The route includes an arduous climb atop Mount Samat and a punishing ride over the hills of Morong in Bataan.

The individual time trial (ITT) for all categories, meanwhile, will be staged the next day on January 13 over a 30-km (for professionals) or a 15-km course (for amateurs) also on an out-and-back course at SBECC.PRUride PH 2018 also the 100- and 50-kilometer Gran Fondo events on January 14 in Subic. (Manila Bulletin)

https://sports.mb.com.ph/2018/01/06/pruride-ph-2018-to-fire-off-next-week/

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